INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Ever since Christian Pulisic was just 17, he has shouldered the burden of being the Future of American Soccer.

No more weight. And no more wait.

That future has become the present. Tomorrow showed up Friday, with Pulisic’s dominant — albeit abbreviated — performance lifting the United States Men’s National Team to a 4-1 rout of Paraguay in their World Cup opener.

“For sure, that first half, coming out with that energy, playing the way that we did, controlling the game right from the start, getting the early goals,” Pulisic said. “Honestly, all-in-all, one of the better halves we’ve played.

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The noise inside Los Angeles Stadium on Friday night was deafening; 70,492 fans draped in red, white and blue roared with every American attack and chanted “USA!” throughout the 90-minute match.

They were encouraged by a new face on the United States men’s national team. A striker that carried the hopes and hearts of a nation.

That man was Falorin Balogun, and his magical first half against Paraguay propelled the United States to the World Cup start they needed to hopefully advance far in the tournament.

America opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a convincing 4-1 victory thanks to Balogun’s brace. But the AS Monaco forward was at the center of nearly every meaningful moment in the match.

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The United States men’s national team made a statement on Friday.

Not with their performance, their tactical adjustments, or effort.

But with their jersey.

For the first time in decades, the players genuinely love what they’re wearing on the pitch during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In their opening match against Paraguay, Team USA wore their striking home “Stripes” kit, a bold red-and-white design inspired by the American flag.

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Who said America wasn’t a soccer country?

For on this Star-Spangled night in front of a star-studded sellout here in Los Angeles, the U.S. men’s national team played the sort of football that is best associated with Brazil.

As long as they’ve known this World Cup will be played on home soil, the USMNT has talked about using it to inspire Americans. The 4-1 beatdown of Paraguay they produced Friday night, the beautiful, flowing, relentless soccer they played, is going to have kids all over the country kicking a ball around imitating them.

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Surprise over Christian Pulisic's early exit tonight had many American soccer fans wondering what could have happened to lead to the decision.

U.S. Soccer did not announce a reason for the sub when asked by reporters, but Pulisic commented after the game.

“I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, so I'm really hoping that it's nothing. Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I'm hoping I'll be fine the next few days," he said, per Fox Sports' Doug McIntyre.

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino echoed that when he spoke to reporters.

"Christian got a kick in the calf and we didn’t want to take a risk because he was finding it a little difficult. Hopefully it is nothing serious and he'll be ready [for Australia]," Pochettino said.

The United States scored four goals in its World Cup opening match as they beat Paraguay 4-1. It was the first time in USMNT history that they've scored four goals in a World Cup match.

Gio Reyna makes it four goals for the United States in stoppage time.

The official attendance for tonight's U.S. men's national team opener drew 70,432 fans to SoFia Stadium on Friday night.

It was certainly a raucous atmosphere as the United States piled on the goals and the celebrities showed out in force for the match.

After the United States made a pair of substitutions, Paraguay scored its first goal of the night in the 73rd minute.

Maurício beats Matt Freese for the goal.

The United States has continued to press in the second half, but Paraguay has been able to create some of its own since the halftime break. While it hasn't led to a goal yet, they've had five shots, although none have been on target, and they've managed to close the gap on the possession advantage that the United States had.

A party 32 years in the making erupted in Los Angeles Friday night as the world watched — shining a light on the city’s biggest athletic stage and it’s brightest stars.

Ahead of the opening whistle between the United States and Paraguay, SoFi Stadium — dubbed Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament — was the center of the sports universe. Nearly 70,000 fans poured through the gates, draped in American flags, scarves, and Team USA jerseys.

Security was tight outside the stadium, with heavily armed police, bomb squad officers and a series of metal detectors and ticket verification stops.

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