U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino noted that despite suggestions that the team could be the dark horse of the 2026 World Cup, or a “surprise,” following the convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay, that won’t be the case until they actually advance to a stage like the quarterfinals or semifinals.
At the post-match press conference following the game against Paraguay, the Argentine coach took the victory in stride, noting that two tough opponents, Australia and Turkey, still lie ahead.
This performance, this confidence, this dominance… carried no resemblance to the vast majority of the U.S. team’s previous performances on the international stage over the years and decades.
They have won exactly one knockout-round match in World Cup history. They have almost always struggled to score goals in major tournaments, and more recently, they managed just three goals combined in their four matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
In this pressure-packed home opener, the Americans looked like a transformed team playing under head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s more creative system, in front of a passionate, celebrity-filled crowd of 70,492 spectators in Los Angeles. Led by the elite talent and fearlessness of Balogun, Pulisic, and Weston McKennie on the attack, the United States delivered a breakthrough performance at SoFi Stadium.
“It’s hard to compare with the past,” said Pochettino, who took over the job in late 2024. “I don’t know what happened in the past. I think we should talk about today, because it was a great game. It was incredible for our fans to see this kind of play, and today, I am, and we are, very proud. I think we’re gaining a lot of followers, adding fans to this sport here in the United States.”
However, not everything was perfect: Pulisic was substituted by Sebastian Berhalter at halftime as a precaution. Pochettino explained that the forward took a kick to the back of his left calf during a training session this week and felt some stiffness during the match.
“I’m staying positive,” Pulisic said. “I don’t think it’s anything serious.”
For his part, Maurício scored in the second half for Paraguay, but the Albirroja had already fallen too far behind early on in what was their first World Cup match in 16 years.
“The United States won this match very clearly and fairly,” acknowledged Paraguay’s coach, Gustavo Alfaro. “They dominated tactically, technically, and physically as well… This team is a complex challenge because they have answers for everything you throw at them.”
The United States will face off against Australia on June 19th in Seattle, Washington.
