US coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters that his team’s 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their World Cup opener was the result of a team-first approach and not the efforts of individual players.
It was the first time the U.S. scored four goals in a World Cup match, two of which came from forward Folarin Balogun, who became the first American player to score twice in a World Cup match since the 1930 tournament.
However, despite excellent performances from the likes of Balogun, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, Pochettino preferred to praise the collective efforts of both the squad and the team staff.
“It was the collective approach,” he said, adding that the team soaked up the fans’ energy.
«Great, they were great. We can do great things when the fans are like this.»
The comfortable win showcased the American team’s attacking prowess, but there were concerns over Pulisic’s fitness after he was substituted at half-time due to a calf bump.
Pochettino said that while the team was happy with the win, it should not forget that this was just the start of the tournament.
Being able to train together for weeks before the World Cup allowed coaches to work with the players rather than just selecting the team, which is usually the case when they only have a few days before most internationals, Pochettino said.
The US will also face Turkey and Australia in Group D.
Published on June 13, 2026
