Story perspectives

U.S. Beats Paraguay 4-1, Balogun Nets Two; Pochettino Highest-Paid Coach

6/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. men’s national team beat Paraguay 4-1 in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup at SoFi Stadium.
Mauricio Pochettino, paid $6,040,600—partly by hedge-fund billionaire Ken Griffin—becomes the third-highest-paid national team coach, and his contract ends after the tournament.
Folarin Balogun scored twice, the first U.S. player to net multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930, while Pochettino said the squad needed no motivational speech.

History

Historical Context

The United States hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup from June 17 to July 17, drawing a record 3,587,538 spectators and proving financially successful for FIFA. FIFA’s requirement that the host create a professional league led to Major League Soccer’s founding in 1993 and launch in 1996, expanding TV coverage and funding today’s high-profile coaching hires as the U.S. prepares for the 2026 tournament.

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Story summary

The U.S. men’s national team beat Paraguay 4-1 in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup at SoFi Stadium.
Mauricio Pochettino, paid $6,040,600—partly by hedge-fund billionaire Ken Griffin—becomes the third-highest-paid national team coach, and his contract ends after the tournament.
Folarin Balogun scored twice, the first U.S. player to net multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930, while Pochettino said the squad needed no motivational speech.

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