{"id":2613768,"date":"2026-06-13T13:07:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T17:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-opens-its-home-world-cup-with-a-dynamic-4-1-victory-over-paraguay\/"},"modified":"2026-06-13T13:07:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T17:07:15","slug":"us-opens-its-home-world-cup-with-a-dynamic-4-1-victory-over-paraguay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-opens-its-home-world-cup-with-a-dynamic-4-1-victory-over-paraguay\/","title":{"rendered":"US opens its home World Cup with a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fus-opens-its-home-world-cup-with-a-dynamic-4-1-victory-over-paraguay%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2613768&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>INGLEWOOD, California (AP) \u2014<\/strong> Folarin Balogun fired his second goal into the top far corner of Paraguay\u2019s net and then led his American teammates to the corner of their home stadium, reveling in the frenzy created by their historic first half at their <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/world-cup\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1397\">World Cup<\/a> opener.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The world\u2019s biggest soccer tournament finally returned to the U.S. on Friday night after a generation of anticipation.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4605265\/paxton-big-12-texas-tech-sorsby-sanction-threat\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Paxton threatens Big 12 over potential sanctions against Texas Tech<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4605167\/ufc-bo-nickal-faith-freedom-250-match-white-house\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>UFC\u2019s Bo Nickal credits faith for success ahead of White House Freedom 250 fight<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4604925\/trumps-ufc-fight-white-house-lawn\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Parts of Trump\u2019s UFC fight on the White House lawn have precedent \u2014 with one exception<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this phenomenal match, the Americans also look like they\u2019ve arrived.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Balogun scored twice in the Americans\u2019 three-goal barrage before halftime, and the U.S. opened its first home\u00a0World Cup\u00a0in 32 years with its biggest win in the tournament, a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">United States\u2019 Sergino Dest (2) eyes the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jae C. Hong)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christian Pulisic\u00a0had an assist in a stellar first-half playmaking performance for the Americans, who enthralled their Southern California fans with an aggressive attack while streaking to a 3-0 lead \u2014 the team\u2019s largest in any World Cup game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt meant everything for us,\u201d Pulisic said. \u201cA half like that, for it to go as it did, and have the fans excited about our performance, it felt amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4605166\/ufc-freedom-250-fight-go-ahead-obama-judge-declines-stop\/\">UFC FREEDOM 250 FULL STEAM AHEAD: OBAMA JUDGE DECLINES TO STOP SUNDAY FIGHT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gio Reyna ripped another goal in the dying moments of second-half injury time, giving the Americans four goals in a World Cup match for the first time in their tournament history dating to 1930.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">United States\u2019 Alex Freeman, top, reaches for the ball over Paraguay\u2019s Antonio Sanabria during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This production, this confidence, this dominance \u2014 it was nothing like the vast majority of the Americans\u2019 previous performances on the international stage over the years and decades.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They\u2019ve won exactly one knockout-round game in the World Cup. They\u2019ve almost always struggled to score in the biggest events, most recently managing only three goals combined in their four matches at the Qatar World Cup in 2022.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this pressure-packed home opener, the Americans were a team transformed while playing in coach Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s more creative system in front of a passionate, star-studded Los Angeles crowd of 70,492. Led by the elite talent and coach-inspired fearlessness of Balogun, Pulisic and Weston McKennie up front, the U.S. finally had its breakthrough performance at SoFi Stadium.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s difficult to compare with the past,\u201d said Pochettino, who took over in late 2024. \u201cI don\u2019t know what happened in the past. I think we need to talk about today, because it was a great match. It was amazing for our fans to see, to watch this type of game, and today, I am so proud and we are so proud. I think we are winning a lot of fans, adding fans for the sport here in America.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4540127\/ufc-freedom-250-shows-off-white-house-stage\/\">INSIDE \u2018THE CLAW\u2019: UFC FREEDOM 250 SHOWS OFF ITS WHITE HOUSE STAGE DAYS BEFORE BIG FIGHT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not everything went perfectly: Pulisic was replaced by Sebastian Berhalter at halftime for precautionary reasons. Pochettino said Pulisic was kicked in the back of his left calf during a training session this week, and felt some subsequent tightness during the match.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">United States\u2019 Christian Pulisic (10) is challenged by Paraguay\u2019s Juan Jose Caceres (4) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cStaying positive,\u201d Pulisic said. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s anything.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maur\u00edcio scored in the second half for Paraguay, but La Albirroja fell too far behind early in their first World Cup match in 16 years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe U.S. won this match very clearly and fairly,\u201d Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said through an interpreter. \u201cThey dominated tactically, technically and physically as well. \u2026 This team is a complex challenge because they have answers to everything you throw at them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the U.S. went ahead on an early own-goal created by Pulisic\u2019s playmaking, Balogun\u00a0scored in the 31st minute\u00a0and\u00a0again in the fifth minute\u00a0of first-half injury time.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">United States\u2019 Folarin Balogun (20) celebrates during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New York-born, London-raised striker\u00a0made his World Cup debut with the first multigoal performance from a U.S. player in the tournament since 1930. Balogun chose to represent the U.S. three years ago instead of staying in the English system, where he likely would have struggled to make the Three Lions\u2019 roster \u2014 and the 24-year-old Monaco professional has swiftly provided the top-level striker play historically lacking on U.S. rosters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4605557\/ads-ufc-trump-white-house-octagon\/\">WHICH ADS ARE ON THE UFC WHITE HOUSE OCTAGON AND WHAT ARE THEIR TIES TO TRUMP?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPoch has said many times, \u2018Why not us?\u2019\u201d Balogun said. \u201cWe have to believe. You can\u2019t do anything if you don\u2019t believe in yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pulisic created the first two U.S. goals with exceptional runs down the left side. In the seventh minute, the AC Milan standout cleverly split two defenders and passed to McKennie, whose centering touch hit Paraguay midfielder Dami\u00e1n Bobadilla\u2019s outstretched foot and went in, setting off pandemonium in the stands.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">United States\u2019 Tyler Adams (4) eyes the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Mark Terrill)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Americans gradually amplified their attack centered around Pulisic\u2019s runs \u2014 and three minutes after an apparent goal from Balogun was erased by an offside call, Pulisic again drove the left side and got a deflected pass to the trailing Balogun, who banged it home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Malik Tillman then made a perfectly weighted pass in injury time to Balogun, who sidled through the Paraguay defense and beautifully found the top shelf.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4605650\/us-domestic-drone-attack-possibility-charles-q-brown\/\">US \u2018SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED\u2019 IF THERE\u2019S A DOMESTIC DRONE ATTACK: RETIRED GEN. CHARLES Q. BROWN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Americans were less cohesive without Pulisic in the second half, but Reyna still added the finishing touch by gliding into the box and toe-flicking home his first World Cup goal. The moment was sweet for Reyna, who barely played at the Qatar World Cup amid a messy family dispute with former U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dozens of American celebrities and cultural icons turned out for the match 10 miles south of Hollywood, including Tom Cruise, George Lucas, Bill Gates, Halle Berry, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/author\/greg-beacham\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>INGLEWOOD, California (AP) \u2014 Folarin Balogun fired his second goal into the top far corner of Paraguay\u2019s net and then led his American teammates to the corner of their home stadium, reveling in the frenzy created by their historic first half at their World Cup opener. The world\u2019s biggest soccer tournament finally returned to the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2634,"featured_media":2613769,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26164127944050.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2613768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26164127944050.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2634"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2613768"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613768\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2613769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2613768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2613768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2613768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}