USMNT Crush Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup 2026 Opener at SoFi Stadium

The United States opened their home World Cup with a statement. As of June 13, 2026, the USMNT have three points in Group D after beating Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California . Folarin Balogun scored twice. Gio Reyna added a stoppage-time exclamation point. One shadow: Christian Pulisic left at halftime with a potential injury.

This is what happened, what it means for the group, and what comes next (as of June 13, 2026).

The Match

The scoreline tells the story (as of June 13, 2026). Paraguay never recovered from falling behind inside ten minutes.

An own goal by Damián Bobadilla in the 7th minute gave the USMNT the lead . Balogun made it 2-0 in the 31st minute . He scored again in first-half stoppage time, the 45+5th minute, to send the hosts into the break up 3-0 .

Paraguay's substitute Maurício pulled one back in the 73rd minute . Reyna, himself a substitute, restored the three-goal margin in the 90+8th minute to close the match at 4-1 .

Four goals. Four different stories. The biggest World Cup win for the United States since 1930 .

Balogun Makes History

Balogun's brace made him the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since Bert Patenaude in 1930 — also against Paraguay . Ninety-six years between multi-goal World Cup performances. That stat alone says how rare this night was.

Balogun came into the tournament with 2 NT goals and 269 NT minutes in the last 12 months. His club form at Monaco told a bigger story: 19 goals and 4 assists in 3,314 club minutes over the same window. Pochettino bet that club output would translate. It did on the opening night (as of June 13, 2026).

Pulisic's Halftime Exit

The one concern from an otherwise dominant evening. Pulisic was substituted off at halftime. He described the situation afterward as hoping it is nothing . He had been the USMNT's most dangerous creator in the first half .

Pulisic has logged 221 NT minutes and 1 goal in the last 12 months, but his club numbers at AC Milan — 12 goals, 4 assists, 1,993 minutes — make him irreplaceable in the attacking third. The USMNT will monitor his fitness closely before the next match (as of June 13, 2026).

Richards Returns, Freese Gets the Nod

Two lineup decisions dominated the pre-match conversation. Both paid off.

Chris Richards, who had not played in a month due to an ankle injury sustained at Crystal Palace, started at center-back . He only completed his first full training session with the squad on the Monday before the match . To go from injury doubt to World Cup starter in four days is a bet on talent. Richards finished the match.

Matt Freese started in goal ahead of Matt Turner, who had started every match at the 2022 World Cup . The goalkeeping competition had been one of the longest-running storylines of Pochettino's tenure. Freese's selection — backed by 841 NT minutes and 10 appearances in the last 12 months — settled it for now (as of June 13, 2026).

The Starting XI

Pochettino deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation :

Tim Ream wore the armband. At 684 NT minutes in the last 12 months, the Charlotte center-back is the squad's most-capped defender in recent service.

The Full 26-Player Squad

For reference, here is the complete USMNT roster Pochettino named on May 26, 2026 — 26 players:

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

Group D — What Comes Next

Three points from matchday 1. The USMNT are in control of their own path. Two matches remain:

Australia and Turkey played their opener in Vancouver at BC Place on June 13 . A win against Australia in Seattle would put the USMNT in a commanding position to top the group before the final matchday.

The Pulisic situation is the variable. If he misses time, Pochettino has options — Reyna showed what he can do off the bench, and Aaronson and Tillman both operate in the same zones. Depth matters now.

What When Where — Upcoming Fixtures

Who scored for the USMNT against Paraguay?

Damián Bobadilla scored an own goal in the 7th minute. Folarin Balogun scored in the 31st and the 45+5th minutes. Giovanni Reyna scored in the 90+8th minute. Paraguay's Maurício scored the consolation in the 73rd minute .

What is the USMNT's next World Cup 2026 match?

The USMNT face Australia on June 19 at Lumen Field in Seattle. It is the second Group D fixture for both teams. A win would put the U.S. in a strong position to advance as group winners.

Why is Pulisic's halftime substitution a concern?

Pulisic was taken off at halftime and said he was hoping it is nothing . With only six days between the Paraguay and Australia matches, his availability is uncertain. His 12 club goals and 4 assists at AC Milan in the last 12 months make him the squad's most productive attacker behind Balogun and Pepi in club output (as of June 13, 2026).

How historic was the 4-1 result?

The 4-1 win is the USMNT's largest World Cup victory since 1930 . Balogun became the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match since Bert Patenaude — also against Paraguay, 96 years ago (as of June 13, 2026).

Who started in goal for the USMNT?

Matt Freese of New York City FC started ahead of Matt Turner, who had been the starter at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar . Freese has 841 NT minutes and 10 appearances in the last 12 months, the most of any keeper on the roster (as of June 13, 2026).

See the projected squad
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