All articles tagged with #usa soccer
Folarin Balogun scored twice in his World Cup debut for the United States, helping the U.S. in Group D against Paraguay in Inglewood and highlighting the England/Nigeria‑eligible forward’s impact for the team.
The United States opened World Cup Group D with a dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, led by Christian Pulisic’s two assists and Folarin Balogun’s two goals in his World Cup debut. Balogun converted a Pulisic-fed penalty and then finished a Tillman through-ball to complete his brace, with Gio Reyna adding a stoppage-time fourth as the U.S. controlled the game from the first whistle and sent a strong message ahead of their next match against Australia.
The United States opened World Cup 2026 with a 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, highlighted by a Paraguayan own goal, two strikes from Folarin Balogun, and a curler from Giovanni Reyna, in front of a crowd over 70,000 as fans celebrated a home tournament kickoff.
Live World Cup updates show the US just hours from its opener against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium with a boisterous crowd, Canada battling to turn a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto thanks to Cyle Larin’s equalizer (Davies sidelined with a hamstring), and DR Congo returning to the World Cup in Houston in stylish fashion. Security and logistics are in focus with ICE on-site, hydration breaks and set-piece play shaping early tournament action.
US interest in the 2026 World Cup appears to be a slow-build: major cities are promoting the event and younger fans show some enthusiasm, but many Americans remain more absorbed by basketball and face high ticket prices; organizers hope excitement grows as the tournament kicks off and a strong US run could boost soccer’s popularity, echoing the 1994 World Cup impact.
US head coach Mauricio Pochettino discusses turning hosting World Cup 2026 into a catalyst for football development, building a shared culture across MLS and colleges, emphasising patience and competition over comfort, and leading with performance-based, empathetic leadership while navigating external pressures and the politics around the sport.
Christian Pulisic ends a 20-game drought with a goal and an assist, and Folarin Balogun nets the winner as the U.S. survives a second-half push to beat Senegal 3-2 in a high-profile World Cup warm-up. The victory boosts momentum and shows US attack sharpness, but defensive lapses allowed Senegal back into the game after the initial 2-0 cushion. Mauricio Pochettino used heavy rotation at halftime, signaling lineup experimentation ahead of the final tune-up versus Germany before the June 12 opener against Paraguay.
The US men's soccer team suffered a 4-0 defeat to Switzerland in a friendly, marking their fourth consecutive loss and raising concerns about their readiness for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, as they struggled defensively and faced lineup changes under new coach Mauricio Pochettino.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has confirmed that men's team manager Gregg Berhalter and midfielder Giovanni Reyna have communicated and are ready to move forward in their relationship. The two had not spoken since a public feud involving their families last December, but now they have cleared the air and are prepared to work together again. The strained relationship began during the 2022 World Cup when Berhalter informed Reyna that he wouldn't have a starting role, leading to a poor reaction from the midfielder. The issue resurfaced after the team's elimination, but a recent meeting has paved the way for their reconciliation. Reyna is expected to be called into the next camp once he is fit.
Gio Reyna has been called up for the USA team's Concacaf Nations League matches against Grenada and El Salvador after his parents tried to oust coach Gregg Berhalter. Reyna made two substitute appearances during the World Cup and Berhalter later said he almost sent a player home because of a perceived lack of effort — criticisms Reyna admitted were aimed at him. USA captain Tyler Adams will miss the matches because of a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen and forward Ricardo Pepi are on the 24-man roster after Berhalter left them off of the World Cup squad.