Story perspectives

U.S. Crushes Paraguay 4-1, Balogun Nets Historic Brace

6/14/2026

Summary

USA Crush Paraguay

United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in the Group D opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Weston McKennie scored after seven minutes, the third-fastest host-nation goal in a World Cup opener.
Folarin Balogun netted a brace, the first U.S. World Cup brace since 1930 and tied the nation’s largest victory margin.
Giovanni Reyna scored in stoppage time, sealing the United States’ highest-scoring World Cup win.

Summary

Fans Parade

Fans turned SoFi Stadium into a Fourth of July parade, waving U.S. flags and wearing patriotic costumes.
Over 70,000 attendees generated a local economic boost from ticket, food and merchandise sales.
Balogun, a New York-born son of Nigerian parents raised in England, chose the United States after a recruitment drive that featured a Yankees first-pitch invitation.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino said the win could attract new soccer fans.

Summary

USA Dominates

Katy Perry (singer) headlined the opening ceremony, which featured Future-rapper, Tyla-singer, Anitta-pop star and Lisa-K-pop star, gold FIFA letters, a giant trophy and a phone greeting from President Donald Trump.
The United States controlled 75 percent of first-half possession before Christian Pulisic withdrew at halftime.
Julio Enciso (forward) played despite a hamstring injury.
Tom Cruise (actor), Leonardo DiCaprio (actor) and Paris Hilton (media personality) attended.

History

Historical Context

The United States hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup from June 17 to July 17, 1994, drawing a record 3,587,538 spectators across nine venues. Brazil won the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on penalties, becoming the first nation with four titles. That breakthrough tournament raised the profile of soccer in the United States, a legacy echoed in today’s U.S. Group D victory.

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USA Crush Paraguay

United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in the Group D opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Weston McKennie scored after seven minutes, the third-fastest host-nation goal in a World Cup opener.
Folarin Balogun netted a brace, the first U.S. World Cup brace since 1930 and tied the nation’s largest victory margin.
Giovanni Reyna scored in stoppage time, sealing the United States’ highest-scoring World Cup win.

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