By The AthleticJune 16, 2026 5:00 am EDT Updated Tamerra Griffin and Carl Anka recap the USMNT’s dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay by diving into the circuitous journey of two-goal hero Folarin Balogun with senior soccer writer Paul Tenorio. Plus, we investigate the tournament’s growing mystery: why are there visible swathes of empty seats at “sold-out” matches in Guadalajara and Santa Clara? Insider Elias Burke joins to explain the stadium attendance discrepancies, corporate ticket realities, and extreme heat advisories. Finally, Hannah Vanbiber drops by to look at the science behind the tournament’s hot-pink boot trend and the team ranking debates.You can also watch The Athletic FC Daily Cup on Amazon Fire and listen wherever you get your podcasts.Jun 16, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
Folarin Balogun’s path to USMNT hero & World Cup empty seats
Tamerra Griffin and Carl Anka recap the USMNT’s dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay by diving into the circuitous journey of two-goal hero Folarin Balogun with senior soccer writer Paul Tenorio. Plus, we investigate the tournament’s growing mystery: why are there visible swathes of empty seats at “sold-out” matches in Guadalajara and Santa Clara? Insider Elias Burke joins to explain the stadium attendance discrepancies, corporate ticket realities, and extreme heat advisories. Finally, Hannah Vanbiber drops by to look at the science behind the tournament’s hot-pink...
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