Even the most confident United States men's national team wouldn't have predicted Friday's World Cup-opening 4-1 joyride past Paraguay, but those who've been calling for USMNT coaches to choose their best attacking team sure feel vindicated at the moment.
MORE — USMNT vs Paraguay recap, video highlights
Mauricio Pochettino smelled blood when he saw a home-soil, World Cup-opening opponent that his men had already beaten in the last year. There was no caution in his lineup, no catering to anything other than the idea that he could get the best from a team antsy to restore their "Golden Generation" swagger.
The 54-year-old Argentine went for it Friday and his players delivered the goods, seizing the moment of a World Cup opener in the perfect time zone for all of America and putting on an absolute show in a manner that promises so much as the Yanks flexed in previously weak positions to send a host nation message to the tournament.
A late Paraguay goal and Christian Pulisic's halftime withdrawal — he reportedly mouthed the words "I'm okay" upon reemerging after the break — mean this wasn't perfect, but it sure was close.
Mauricio Pochettino eschews safety for swagger
The Americans have incredible depth in front of their back line, but there is concern at the level of goalkeeper in this team and the center backs outside of Chris Richards are not exactly stars.
The safe moves could've included putting a safer partner next to Tyler Adams in the center of the park and choosing a big body over Alex Freeman as the third center back.
Pochettino did neither. He chose Freeman and opted for Malik Tillman in the midfield, essentially telling the world — and more importantly his team — that it was time to seize the moment on home soil.
They did just that. Christian Pulisic flew out of the traps, Adams was fiery in the middle of the park, and only one player took the space to seize more shots than Tillman, and that player is the subject of our second section.
Folarin Balogun takes center (forward) stage
Holy smokes, this guy.
In our latest episode of ProSoccerTalk, I remarked that I thought two dual nationals could become huge names during this tournament: Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman.
My co-host Andy Edwards said, "I thought you were going to say Folarin Balogun," and that feels prescient at the moment.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old Balogun announced himself to the wider world on Friday with a brace that included a Luke Littler-esque dart into the upper 90 to make it 3-0.
Balogun is a star in France after scoring 21 goals for Reims to earn a move to Monaco, and he really caught eyes with his five goals in the Champions League this season.
But he had the screen to himself on Friday and Monaco's phone line will be ringing a bit more after Friday night.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Folarin Balogun of USA celebrates a goal dismissed by VAR during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Europa Press Sports/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Europa Press via Getty Images
Questions remain at the back
The only problem with largely dominating the group stage opener is that the backs were barely tested by Paraguay.
And the goalkeeper wasn't really tested at all.
Freese did not make a save and was unlikely to stop Paraguay's lone goal, one that came when the U.S. had slipped into a too-tight back four that allowed Palmeiras striker Mauricio way too much room to finish his chance for 3-1.
Freese is far from an albatross between the posts, but we've yet to really see him do anything like we've seen from bonafide world-class stars Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller, and Tim Howard in previous World Cups.
He may be capable of that, but it's still a question mark. And the Mauricio goal did come on Freeman's side. The way the Yanks played Friday, if replicated, could mean they won't stress their goalkeeper much during the group stage.
Of course, it's never easy and rarely simple at the World Cup. Right now, though, it sure is fun.
