Unifying US Victory
US Men's Soccer Delivers Unifying 4-1 World Cup Win, Sets Record Performance
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The US men's national soccer team opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium, drawing 70,492 fans to the first World Cup match on American soil in 32 years. LA Times columnist Mirjam Swanson called the win "chicken soup for a nation's soul" — a rare moment of shared celebration in a deeply divided country.
Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first half, becoming only the second American ever to score a World Cup brace. The final 4-1 margin tied a 96-year-old record for the USMNT's largest World Cup winning margin, dating back to 1930, according to Kansas City. The U.S. now sits atop Group D heading into their June 19 match against Australia in Seattle.
Balogun Brace Headlines Record-Breaking First Half
The U.S. wasted no time. In just the 7th minute, Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla put the ball into his own net off a Weston McKennie cross. Balogun then struck in the 31st minute for his first career World Cup goal, and added a second just before halftime to make it 3-0 — the first time the USMNT ever led 3-0 at halftime in a World Cup game, per Sacramento Bee.
Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute, but Gio Reyna sealed the win with a curling strike from outside the box in the 90th minute. Captain Christian Pulisic, who ran the attack before a precautionary halftime exit, said: "Seeing the red, white, and blue... it's awesome. It's really pushing us forward." The U.S. finished with 16 shots on goal to Paraguay's 9.
Pochettino's Team Wins Over Skeptical Soccer Fans
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino, born in Argentina, credited the crowd for the performance. "We can do amazing things if the fans are in this as well," he said. "A massive thank you to the fans because the energy they translated was amazing." Defender Chris Richards finished the match with a perfect 83-for-83 passing rate, which News Observer called a "passing masterclass."
The News Tribune noted the team is no longer a "workmanlike outfit built on grit" but a creative, attacking force under Pochettino. Fans at the sellout crowd expressed belief the team can reach the quarterfinals — a milestone the U.S. last hit in 2002. That run would mark the highest point for American soccer in over two decades.
Visa Denials and High Costs Shadow the Celebration
Not everything went smoothly off the pitch. A U.S. policy known as the "Visa 4" restriction blocked residents from four qualifying nations from entering the country. The Palestine football chief was denied a visa entirely. Ghana star Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada for his team's opener, according to Bradenton. These issues kept many international fans away and drew sharp criticism from human rights groups.
Back home, the cost of attending was steep. Idaho Statesman reported that high ticket prices and "exorbitant transportation and parking fees" created a class divide in who could actually get into the stadium. State attorneys general are reportedly watching for price-gouging in host cities. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department also warned fans about high-tech World Cup scams targeting people online.
A 48-Team Tournament Searching for a Unifying Moment
This World Cup is the first ever with 48 teams. It runs 104 games over 39 days across 16 cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, per San Luis Obispo. The sheer scale makes a strong American run more important than ever — both for soccer's growth in the U.S. and for the tournament's commercial success. Celebrities including Tom Cruise, David Beckham, and Leonardo DiCaprio attended the opener, giving it a Hollywood feel.
Swanson wrote that the win "unites the States" — but noted that "there's no removing politics from this World Cup." Immigration fears kept some foreign fans from traveling to the U.S. at all. The next big test comes June 19 in Seattle against Australia. A win there would likely clinch the U.S. a spot in the Round of 32 and keep the unifying momentum alive, according to Tri-City Herald.
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