Folarin Balogun scores twice as USMNT beats Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup opener

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — U.S. soccer had waited 32 years for this moment, a men's World Cup back on home soil with a delicious opportunity to not only show progress on the field but to continue growing a sport that has yearned for a breakthrough chapter.

It came on Friday in a manner both ferocious and elegant, in a stunning first half against an opponent that doesn't concede many goals.

The Americans were daring and dazzling, and by the halftime whistle sounded, they had composed a three-goal lead on the way to a 4-1 victory over Paraguay before 70,492 at SoFi Stadium.

The emphatic performance, spurred by Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie, put Mauricio Pochettino's giddy gang in prime position in Group D ahead of next Friday's clash with Australia in Seattle.

With two goals in his World Cup debut, Balogun became the first U.S. player since 1930 to score multiple goals in the tournament. Pulisic was confident and lethal before leaving at halftime for undisclosed reasons.

The U.S. went ahead in the seventh minute on an own goal and stretched the lead on Balogun's goals in the 31st minute and stoppage time.

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With a disallowed goal and a squandered chance, the U.S. margin could have been larger.

The U.S. hadn't enjoyed a World Cup half like that since the 2002 World Cup, when they scored three in the opener against heavily favored Portugal. On that day, however, they conceded one before intermission and desperately hung on for a 3-2 win – a big step en route to its only quarterfinal appearance in the modern era.

In the hours leading to Friday's kickoff, there wasn't much intrigue surrounding Pochettino's starting lineup after center back Chris Richards declared earlier in the week that he had recovered from an ankle injury.

Matt Freese, the first-choice goalkeeper since last summer, was among five starters making their World Cup debut. At 38, captain Tim Ream became the oldest U.S. player to appear in a World Cup match, partnering in central defense with Richards and 21-year-old Alex Freeman.

Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman collaborated in central midfield, the latter playing deeper than usual but vital to the U.S. transitioning into the attack quickly.

Veterans Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest were on the flanks for their second World Cup, but to better utilize Dest's technical skills, Pochettino granted him the freedom of a pure winger.

Pulisic's responsibilities were both as a creator and finisher. Balogun, coming off a productive season for Monaco in France's Ligue 1, started at striker.

Everyone except Richards started the final tuneup against Germany last weekend in Chicago — a hint at what the World Cup opener would look like.

Lively and confident from the start, the U.S. seized the lead in the seventh minute. It was an own goal by Damián Bobadilla but a richly deserved prize for the U.S. after a wonderful transition put Paraguay under duress.

Ream disrupted a pass just outside the U.S. penalty area. Richards took possession and connected with Freeman, whose perfectly weighted pass met McKennie in stride crossing midfield. After sidesetting a challenge, McKennie pushed the ball wide to Pulisic.

Here was a golden moment for Pulisic to express himself and make an early mark on the match and tournament.

Diego Gomez and Juan Jose Caceres stood in the way. Pulisic split them. Two others came his way, creating a pocket for McKennie. Pulisic supplied him. McKennie tried squaring the ball to Balogun at the six-yard box, and with Paraguay stretched, Bobadilla's reflexive intervention pushed the ball into the net.

The Americans continued attacking in waves. By himself on the right side of the box, Dest lost his chance with a heavy first touch that took the ball toward the end line.

Balogun completed the U.S.'s sharp work, but Pulisic was offside on the build-up and Balogun was a step beyond before receiving the last pass.

There were no such issues in the 31st minute. Robinson delivered a long ball — long and with proper weight — to Pulisic surging on the left. Bearing down on the beleaguered Paraguayans, Pulisic picked out Balogun in the heart of the box for a one-touch, 12-yard finish to the far corner.

No one on a World Cup field could possibly be bored, but Freese was as close as anyone could get. Paraguay was no threat, not necessarily because of its incompetence but because the U.S. dominated possession.

When Paraguay did see promise, the U.S. shut it down — even from the knees. Ream slipped while backtracking but still was able to head the ball to Richards for a clearance.

The half was winding down but the U.S. wasn't done. On what turned out to be the final sequence, Tillman threaded a brilliant ball from the halfway line to Balogun one on one with Omar Alderete. Balogun dodged Alderete's tackle in the box, pulled the ball back from Gustavo Gomez and lifted an unstoppable shot into the top left corner.

Returning to the World Cup for the first time since a 2010 quarterfinal appearance, Paraguay had conceded just 10 goals in its 18 qualifiers.

When the teams returned to the field, however, Pulisic wasn't on it — replaced by Sebastian Berhalter. No immediate updates were available, but it seemed precautionary for a lingering issue or a game-day ailment.

Pochettino planned to address the substitution after the match, a team spokesman said.

U.S. concentration lapsed early in the second half, but before long, it was back on its front foot. Cracks showed again after Pochettino's first set of substitutions. Paraguay unlocked the defense, and Julio Enciso set up Mauricio for a clean finish to the far corner.

It was a worrisome moment for the U.S., which has had defensive problems this year.

Tillman should've restored the three-goal margin but squandered a clear bid from the center of the box. But Gio Reyna, who came on in the 82nd minute, didn’t waste his opportunity and capitalized on an Anthony Freeman assist with a golazo of his own.

The late blemishes didn't spoil an otherwise unforgettable night.

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