USMNT centre-back Chris Richards created history on Friday (June 12) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the co-hosts’ 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles in their Group D opener.
Following an own goal by Damian Bobadilla in the seventh minute, Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT went into the break three goals to the good, thanks to Folarin Balogun’s brace, one of them set up by AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic.
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Paraguay reduced arrears through Mauricio 17 minutes from time, but substitute Giovanni Reyna restored his team’s three-goal advantage with the last kick of the game to make it a first win in a FIFA World Cup opener for USA in 14 years.
The game also saw Rogers put in a dazzling display, completing all 83 of his passes (as per ESPN Insights via ANI News). It’s the most passes completed with 100% accuracy since the 1966 edition in England.
For his two-goal outing, Balogun was awarded the Man of the Match, while his teammate Pulisic also shone – registering an assist and playing a key role in the build-up that led to Bobadilla’s own goal. However, the Milan man was taken off at half-time after complaining of stiffness in the calf.
Pochettino’s side next take on Australia on June 19 in Seattle, while Paraguay will look to keep their FIFA World Cup knockout hopes alive against Turkiye a day later in Santa Clara.
“Now we are so much more established” – Former USMNT goalkeeper after 2026 FIFA World Cup opener
USMNT made a commanding start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, registering their first three-goal win in the competition in nearly 100 years, as they dispatched Paraguay 4-1 on Friday in Los Angeles.
With another win in their next game against Australia potentially confirming their place in the knockouts, the co-hosts look set for a deep run against the big boys of the game.
Former USMNT goalkeeper Tony Meola – who participated in three World Cups (1990, 1994, 2002) – reckons the team’s pedigre on the world stage is on the rise (as per the BBC):
“Now we are so much more established. We have players playing all round the world, we have an incredible league and have facilities the world is using right now. Those were a pipe dream a few years ago now we are a football nation.”
In the Qatar edition four years ago, USA reached the knockouts as group runner-ups before losing 3-1 to the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
Edited by Bhargav