USA-PARAGUAY EXPRESS:
June 12 in Inglewood, California
USA 4 Paraguay 1. Goals: own goal (Bobadilla) 7, Balogun 31, 45+5, Reyna 90+8; Mauricio 73.
Att.: 70,492.

The USA got their 2026 World Cup campaign off to the perfect start, taking down Paraguay 4-1 in a record performance at SoFi Stadium.

Folarin Balogun recorded a brace, with an own goal opening the scoring (1-0) and a fantastic strike from Gio Reyna capping off a dream start to the biggest tournament in American history.

Let’s dive into the individual performances!

Folarin Balogun gets set to score the USA’s second goal. (Photo: Mike Woitalla)

USA Player Ratings

(1=low; 5=middle; 10=high.)

GOALKEEPER

Can a World Cup match be quieter than this for a goalkeeper? Matt Freese, the New York City FC man didn’t make a single save on the night – Paraguay’s only shot on target was their goal, a strike from Mauricio that he could do nothing about (3-1). 

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

5.5
Matt Freese (NYCFC) 16/0 (27)

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