USA 4 – 1 Paraguay:
Pulisic’s role in creating the opening goal
The United States kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup in impeccable fashion, demolishing Paraguay 4-1 in Inglewood, CA, and sending a message to the rest of the 47 teams in the tournament. The Stars and Stripes came ready to play from the opening whistle, cutting apart the visitors with their intense pressing and well-worked possession play.
USA Dominates from the First Whistle
Within seven minutes, they got their just rewards as Christian Pulisic split two defenders with an elusive dribble and working the ball towards Weston McKennie, whose attempted pass bounced off Damián Bobadilla and wound up in the back of the net.
Early Breakthrough Sets the Tone
From that point on, the floodgates had opened. Rather than rebound, Paraguay shrank from the occasion and allowed the US to swallow them alive. Pretty soon, the question wasn’t whether the US would win – it was how many goals they would win by.
Balogun Doubles the Advantage in Clinical Style
Antonee Robinson sliced Paraguay’s defense up like a knife through hot butter, feeding the ball towards Pulisic, whose cross ricocheted off an opponent and found its way towards Folarin Balogun. The Monaco striker made no mistake, taking it on his side foot and carving the shot into the back of the net at the half-hour mark.
“I think the first game is always the most difficult, to get the nerves out of the way, and we were able to do that really quickly with Weston forcing the own goal,” stated Balogun to Bovada. “You want a result like this, and it gives you a lot of confidence for the next game.”
Record-Breaking Moment for Balogun
But while his first goal was pure precision, the second goal was all about the power. Just as Paraguay players were begging for the sweet release of halftime, Malik Tillman threaded the needle to Balogun, who took it in stride, dodged a tackle, and deftly evaded another opponent before taking it on his left and launching a firecracker into the top corner. Just like that, Balogun had become the first USA player in 96 years to score 2+ goals in a World Cup match.
Second Half Control Under Pochettino
After delivering a world-class first-half performance, it would have been easy for Mauricio Pochettino’s side to take the foot off the gas. Instead, they continued to impose their authority, even with Pulisic making way for Sebastian Berhalter at the interval. While halftime substitute Maurício pulled one back in the 73rd minute, La Albirroja never looked remotely close to mounting a serious comeback.
Late Goals Seal a Statement Victory
Instead, it was the USA that continued to force the issue, mounting wave after wave of attacks before finally getting their just rewards in the final seconds. Giovanni Reyna sauntered towards the edge of the box and fired a zesty trivela shot into the back of the net, putting the finishing touches on a momentous victory, before covering both ears in celebration. It was the kind of finish (and celebration) that said, “We don’t care what the critics say, we’re here at the biggest tournament in the history of sports, and we’re going to continue making our country proud.”
“It’s a great team – we all love each other,” stated Reyna to Bovada after the match.
What This Win Means for the USA
The USA will head north to Seattle to face off against Australia, before returning to Southern California and meeting Türkiye in their final group stage match. As for Paraguay, they will head to Santa Clara for their next two games against Türkiye and Australia.
By Zach Lowy
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Bovada Trading Team Predictions: Best Bets
It’s opening night for the USA, with the U.S. men’s national team taking on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
If you’re just diving into the USMNT in World Cup action, we approached the Bovada Trading Team for their personal opinion on the best bets for Match 1 of Group D.
Trade Team USA vs. Paraguay Best Bets:
- Parlay: USA Moneyline and Under 2.5 Goals
- Florian Balogun First Goalscorer
- Same Game Parlay: USA to Win, Under 2.5 Goals, and Florian Balogun Anytime Goalscorer.
Why These Wagers?
“I think USA is the better team, but Paraguay’s newfound defensive DNA should make for a low-scoring game. Paraguay was a tough squad during qualifying, posting one of the best defensive records in South America, allowing just 10 goals.
“I like USA to win and under 2.5 goals in a parlay.”
“My second bet is Florian Balogun first to score. He’s been impressive since last season and looks like a breakout star. He’s peaking at the right time; he scored 19 goals for AS Monaco. I expect him to lead the line for the Stars and Stripes.”
“The third bet is combining the USA Moneyline, the Under and Balogun to score ‘Anytime’ in a Same Game Parlay. You may have seen this feature for baseball and basketball, and now you can use it for the World Cup.”
Trade Team on Team USA
“Obviously, a host as big as America is a huge deal, so we wanted to see how Team USA prepared to inform our odds. They definitely gave themselves a demanding Friendly schedule. They faced Belgium, Portugal, Senegal, and Germany. The results were mixed, but they definitely earned valuable opportunities to test tactics, assess squad depth, and expose their players to the type of pressure they’ll face during the World Cup.”
“When discussing their odds, while we expect standouts like Balogun, the team’s foundation is still experienced leaders like Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie. Adams, in particular, is expected to play a vital role both as captain and midfield anchor, while Pulisic will carry much of the creative responsibility when it’s time to attack.”
View the latest World Cup Odds at Bovada!
The 2026 World Cup is here. For Team USA, there’s never been a better time to go on a record run. They’ve got home soil. A home crowd. And “Captain America” Christian Pulisic believes it’s the best team he’s ever been a part of.
“Looking at the guys playing at the highest levels and doing extremely well at their clubs, and I think for sure [we] have a really, really strong squad and depth as well,” he said.
But Paraguay, their first opponent, arrives with their own point to make after missing the 2022 World Cup. Leading up to their June 12 matchup, Paraguay has been a volatile team with the firepower to upset any nation, let alone a USA squad they played last November.
Match 1. Group D. Home crowd going nuts. This is where America’s World Cup begins.
Match Details
USA vs. Paraguay kicks off Group D at 9 p.m. ET on June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It’s the first Group D matchup, which includes Turkey and Australia.
USA and Paraguay only faced each other once in eight years, a recent November 15, 2025, friendly where the USA won 2-1after full time. That, and home-field advantage, make America the slight favorite to win, while Paraguay and the Draw have the underdog odds.
USMNT lost its last two European friendlies versus Belgium and Portugal. But before the European tour hadn’t lost in five straight matchups across Asia and South America. Paraguay is in the World Cup for the first time since 2010, qualifying via CONMEBOL, finishing 6th.
Group D Context and What’s at Stake
As this is a Group Stage matchup, a win earns 3 points, a draw earns 1, and a loss earns none. Even with FIFA expanding the field from 32 to 48 teams, getting points early is critical to securing a place in the Last 32 – the knockout stage. With only three group matches for each team, there’s limited time to build momentum.
The top two teams in Group D advance automatically, while the remaining spots go to the eight best third-place finishers across all 12 groups.
The pressure is especially on Team USA. At home and favored to win Group D, anything other than a 3-point opener saps America’s confidence and eliminates the margin for error moving forward.
Recent Matchups
USMNT lost its recent European friendlies involving Belgium and Portugal by a combined 7-2 score. However, they fared much better against South American teams, dominating Uruguay 5-1, tying Ecuador 1-1, and, of course, their 2-1 win over Paraguay in November. That result gives the Americans a psychological edge – but it’s not a guarantee. In the 2025 matchup, Paraguay had a 1-1 draw at halftime vs. USA; a goal in the 71st minute sealed their fate.
Paraguay has also shown solid form in recent friendlies. They held Morocco scoreless through the first half before two quick scores in the second killed their momentum. They picked up a 1-0 win over Greece on March 27, and had a huge 2-1 victory against Mexico in a friendly back on November 19, 2025.
Head-to-Head Record
The recent head-to-head record leans toward the United States, but it’s been competitive:
- November 15, 2025: USA 2–1 Paraguay (Friendly).
- March 27, 2018: USA 1–0 Paraguay (Friendly).
- June 11, 2016: USA 1–0 Paraguay (Copa America).
- March 30, 2011: Paraguay 1–0 USA (Friendly).
- July 2, 2007: Paraguay 3–1 USA (Copa America).
USMNT has won the last three meetings, including a Copa America matchup in 2016. Paraguay’s last win came in 2007, a 3-1 result in the Copa America that fans still remember. Overall, across the last five games, it’s 3-2 USA. This is a rivalry with just enough edge to make any pick uncomfortable.
Key Players to Watch
For USMNT, everything starts with Christian Pulisic. He’s been their “Captain America” since 2016, the face of U.S. Soccer on the global stage, and the first American superstar to consistently perform with top European clubs. What’s bothersome is he’s on an eight-game scoreless streak; he also hasn’t scored for his club team, AC Milan, since Dec. 28. The center of America’s offensive attack has run cold.
Paraguay’s biggest threats come from their attacking core. Miguel Almiron provides speed and pressure in transition, while Julio Enciso brings unpredictability and creativity. Midfielder Diego Gomez adds energy and can move the team from defense to attack. Paraguay may not dominate possessions, but they have players who can exploit mistakes quickly.
Betting Markets
America opened as the favorite on the moneyline against Paraguay and, barring any major injuries, is expected to remain that way through kickoff. Moneyline bets allow bettors to pick either team to win outright or take the draw. While Team USA holds the edge at home, the odds remain relatively tight, reflecting that Paraguay – or the draw – still presents real value.
In the 2022 Group Stage, favorites won roughly 48–52% of matches, while underdogs and draws each accounted for around 25–30%. As with most World Cup betting, total score wagers are typically set at 2.5 goals, with the under hitting approximately 55–60% of the time. Early Group Stage matches tend to hit the under more because teams play cautiously. Securing 1 point from a draw is often preferred over risking everything for 3 and ending up with none. Especially for underdogs, who are willing to play for a 1-point draw just to survive.
Q: When is USA vs Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup?
USA vs Paraguay is scheduled for June 12, 2026. The match will be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, which will be referred to as “Los Angeles Stadium” during the tournament. Kickoff time is 9 p.m. ET.
Q: What group are USA and Paraguay in?
Both teams are in Group D, alongside Australia and Turkey.
Q: What is the USA vs Paraguay head-to-head record?
America has won three of the last five meetings, including a 2-1 win on November 15, 2025.
Q: Who is the favorite for USA vs Paraguay?
Team USA is expected to be favored playing at home. For the latest odds and market movement, check Bovada closer to kickoff.
Q: What is USA’s recent form?
Team USA hadn’t lost for five straight friendlies before losing to Belgium 5-2 on March 28 and to Portugal 2-0 on April 1.
Q: What does this match mean for Group D qualification?
A win would give USA an early edge in the race to reach the Last 32. Dropping points would immediately increase the pressure heading into their remaining group matches.
USA vs Paraguay. USA’s World Cup run starts here. Find your USA World Cup bets at Bovada. Odds are live now.
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