USMNT player ratings vs Paraguay: Folarin Balogun brace powers dream opener as Americans score their most goals ever in a World Cup match and give fans reason to believe

The USMNT defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their 2026 World Cup opener on Friday night in Inglewood, California, under coach Mauricio Pochettino. Folarin Balogun scored a brace, while the opening goal came via a seventh-minute own goal set up by Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie. The result marks the most goals the United States has ever scored in a single World Cup match.