LOS ANGELES, California — The United States launched their home World Cup in emphatic fashion on Friday (Saturday in Manila), thrashing Paraguay, 4-1, with a perfectly scripted opening performance to delight a star-studded home crowd in Los Angeles.
Folarin Balogun scored twice while relentless US pressure led to an early Paraguay own goal from Damian Bobadilla before substitute Gio Reyna added a late fourth to cap a dream start for Mauricio Pochettino’s side at the SoFi Stadium in Group D.
The US entered the tournament amid a swirl of uncertainty after a series of defeats and unconvincing performances in pre-World Cup friendlies.
But any doubts about their ability to progress past the first round were obliterated in a dazzling first-half display which saw them roar into a 3-0 lead to all but seal victory in the opening 45 minutes.
“Just a great start from the guys,” US star Christian Pulisic said afterward. “The guys came out with so much energy, just a great performance and a deserved win.
“It’s just the start of a long journey. We’ve got a lot more to do. It’s a really, really great start, and we should be proud, but we’ve got to keep pushing, and be ready for the next game.”
Pop star Katy Perry got the party started with a rousing performance just before kickoff while Hollywood royalty including Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Halle Berry were among a 70,492 crowd.
The US men rose to the occasion with a performance of flair and precision that will ignite dreams of a deep run in the tournament by the co-hosts, with group games against Australia and Turkey to come.
Wave after wave of US pressure led to Bobadilla’s opening goal after just seven minutes before Balogun — who grew up in London and represented England youth teams before pledging allegiance to the United States — bagged his brace.
The only blemish on the US performance was the conceding of a Paraguay goal from Brazil-born Mauricio in the 73rd minute after hesitancy in the hosts’ defense.
Canada grab first point
In Friday’s other game, co-hosts Canada earned the first World Cup point in its history when Cyle Larin grabbed a second-half equalizer in Toronto to make it 1-1 after Bosnia and Herzegovina had taken the lead with a close-range header from Jovo Lukic. AFP
