The US ran riot in their 4-1 win against Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Los Angeles Stadium early Saturday. The team looked confident and dominated its South American opponent at their home turf in front of 70,492 people. The mastermind behind the win is an Argentine architect — Mauricio Pochettino.
As one of the commentators had said, “The world of football has gone to the nation of soccer.”Seeing the aggressive 4-2-3-1 formation, Pochettino made sure the US plays European-style football. With pace at the wings and two dominant defensive midfielders, the host had an uncanny similarity to Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur that reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2019.
Relying on speed, the early breakthrough for the US came from an own goal, which the defender could not have avoided. The second goal came from a similar attack — a low cross from the left flank — which was sublimely placed into the bottom corner of the net by Folarin Balogun. He went on to score a brace in the 45th minute after receiving a cutting through pass, before a feint and a left-foot top corner finish.The Monaco striker, who chose the Stars and Stripes over the Three Lions, looked like an experienced centre–forward. Paraguay’s relief came just after the second hydration break, but it was short-lived after the US continued their pressing, which led to another goal deep in the stoppage time.
