14/06/2026

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SUNDAY • 14th JUNE 2026

American muscle Pochettino hails team USA after dream start

Mauricio Pochettino

US forward Folarin Balogun (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D match against Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood yesterday. – AFPPIC

U NITED STATES coach Mauricio Pochettino refused to single out any individual player for praise following the co-hosts’ dream World Cup opening win, insisting the 4-1 victory yesterday over Paraguay was a collective effort. The US demolished Paraguay on an electric night in Los Angeles, with Folarin Balogun bagging a brace and Gio Reyna scoring a late stunner, plus an early own goal. “It’s not only to talk about some names, it’s about the collective,” said Pochettino. “It’s not only Balo or dif ferent players that performed. “I think the team was amazing. Not only the starting 11 but all the players around and on the bench.” Pressed by a journalist at his post-game conference about the performance of US talisman Christian Pulisic, Pochettino refused to budge.

But he was taken off at the half, and later told reporters he had received a knock in “the back of my leg.” “Sort of my (left) calf area. But I’ve had similar things before … I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything at all.” Coach Mauricio Pochettino also said the forward was substituted because “we didn’t want to take any risks.” “He received a kick before today (too) in a training session, we hope it’s not a big issue. When he finished the first half, he could not walk. “We’re hopeful the next game he’ll be available.” After the convincing opening win, games ahead for the US include Australia on Friday, and Turkey the following week. “An incredible start but there’s a lot more that we still have to do,” said Pulisic. – AFP

with Reyna polishing off the win late in stoppage time after Paraguay had pulled one back. The night’s only potential sour note was the half-time withdrawal of Christian Pulisic, the US attacking talisman who is carrying the hopes of the nation as they attempt a deep run into the World Cup knockouts for the first time since their quarter final appearance in 2002. Pulisic played down injury con cerns after the match, telling jour nalists it was just a precaution. “I just got a bit of a kick in the first half so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing. Taking a little bit of precau tion today. But I’m hoping I’ll be fine in the next few days,” said Pulisic. The AC Milan forward was a con stant menace in a rampant first half, providing an assist as well as helping create Paraguay’s own goal with a clever one-two with Weston McKennie.

tion to progress from Group D, which also contains next week’s opposition Australia, and Turkey. “We are so happy, but this is only the start,” said Pochettino. “It’s still two games to play. “We need to enjoy this start to the tournament, but know that we need to keep going and try to improve and try to do better in the next game, because all the games are very com petitive.” The hosts took the lead in the tournament’s first game on US soil within seven minutes thanks to an own goal, and by the end of an utterly dominant half the home fans were in dreamland, their side up by three. Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Paris Hilton were among a sold out 70,492 crowd as the US – co hosting the tournament with Mexico and Canada – piled wave after wave of attacks on the South Americans,

“You push me to talk about names, and it’s about the team, it’s a collective performance. Of course, he was amazing,” said the coach. He then went on to name nearly every member of the US lineup, praising each as also “amazing.” Pochettino was also effusive in his praise for the 70,000 crowd in Los Angeles. Despite some media reports sug gesting that the US public is not as invested in the tournament as other World Cup hosts – particularly with the ongoing NBA Finals drawing eyeballs away from the football – the atmosphere was raucous in the Los Angeles Stadium. “On behalf of the whole team, massive thank you to the fans, because the energy that they relate to the team was amazing, and we can do amazing things with if the fans are in this way,” said Pochettino. The US is now in a strong posi

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