For one night, the USMNT looked a World Cup contender

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Show of hands: Who saw that coming? Taking into account the World Cup’s magnitude, the pressure of being a host, SoFi Stadium’s sweeping backdrop, the weight of an opening match, the number of eyeballs watching on screens both wide and handheld, the 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday stands alone in U.S. men’s soccer lore. Keep in mind the U.S. has not won much in the sport’s preeminent competition: nine victories in 37 prior matches over 11 appearances and, since 1990, just two victories in 22 attempts against South American and European opponents. The Americans have been more apt to pull off a seismic upset (England in 1950, Colombia in 1994, Portugal in 2002) than to dominate an opponent with pedigree. So to not only win but to do so in such a punishing, attractive style shook a nervous fan base at home and sent tremors rippling across planet fútbol. The first half was close to perfect, rekindling memories of that aforementioned Portugal shocker. Unlike that match, though, the U.S. did not concede a goal before halftime Friday. At the break, it was 3-0 and could’ve been 5-0. Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT celebrates after the team's victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026. Alex Livesey - FIFA via Getty Images And unlike that 2002 match, played in South Korea and broadcast here in the wee hours, people were paying close attention. Given the faraway venue and quaint technology, the game then seemed as though it was played in another galaxy. This one transpired in a stadium the size of a galaxy, with more celebrities and famous athletes than you’d find preening courtside at Madison Square Garden. Christian Pulisic met the moment . Weston McKennie was everywhere. Folarin Balogun flashed world-class scoring credentials. Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest controlled the flanks. Tyler Adams organized and Malik Tillman orchestrated. The defense was, for the most part, clean and tidy, with Chris Richards returning from an ankle injury to complete all of his 83 passes. In his first World Cup, goalkeeper Matt Freese didn’t have much to do. They played with rhythm and efficiency, and they didn’t let up as each half was about to end. Balogun scored in stoppage time just before intermission and Gio Reyna before the final whistle. The ugly 2022 off-field episodes behind him, Reyna had come off the bench. Culminating a 26-pass possession, his goal was struck with technical style and cracking precision. Though the outcome had already been decided, it was hardly a meaningless goal. That goal, that magnificent goal, could loom large in the Group D table, thanks to the goal differential tiebreaker. Should the U.S. and one other team win their first two matches, the U.S. may very well go into its June 25 finale against Türkiye at SoFi Stadium needing only a draw to clinch first place. First place means a trip up the California coast to Santa Clara for a round-of-32 match against a third-place team. Finishing second requires a visit to north Texas to face another runner-up, perhaps Iran in a match with political overtones. Friday’s victory does not guarantee passage, but with eight of 12 third-place teams set to advance, the U.S. would need only a draw this Friday against Australia in Seattle to all but punch its ticket. But getting draws and getting through the group stage is no longer the threshold for U.S. soccer. Because it’s a home World Cup and because many U.S. players are employed in major European leagues and because it has a world-renowned — and handsomely paid — coach, the bar has risen a few rungs. The days of being somewhat satisfied with the Round of 16 are gone. The U.S. is targeting the quarterfinals. To get there, it would probably at some point need to beat another established opponent. Paraguay is not Argentina or Brazil, but it did beat both those teams in the qualification process. Known for its stubborn defense, La Albirroja (The White and Red) had conceded one goal in its last four qualifiers and 10-in-18 matches overall. On Friday, the Americans toyed with the Paraguayans as if they were playing with a two-man advantage. Never in World Cup history had they scored four goals. The movement and fluidity, the hunger and confidence, the interplay in tight space and service from distance, the finishing touches … it was a ballet under a translucent roof that drew standing ovations. Was that really the same U.S. program that for years has disappointed and infuriated, never conjured a badly needed breakthrough moment, played hard and gutted out some good results but rarely charmed us? It was. Sure, the four-goal, first-half outburst against Uruguay in November was an eye-opener, but that was a friendly against an opponent that had lost its way. This was the dang World Cup. The test now is replicating it. This isn’t Australia’s first rodeo and Türkiye arrived stateside as a slight group favorite. Pulisic’s calf injury seems minor, but his availability against Australia will probably remain a source of intrigue all week. The work is far from done. Things could turn sour quickly. Mauricio Pochettino and his players must retain their focus and work rate. The U.S. is not the first team to get off to a rocking start at a World Cup. Things happen. On one magical night, though, everything fell into place and produced not only a memorable victory but extended hope for both this tournament and far beyond.