Balogun leads USMNT rout of Paraguay in dream World Cup start - ESPN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The United States' World Cup opener was a magical Hollywood party except for one prominent question.

First, the unquestionably good: With a relentless attack, ruthless finishing and an opening half to rival the best 45 minutes in U.S. men's national team history, the Americans ripped through Paraguay 4-1 to start this home tournament in the sweetest of styles Friday. It was all the U.S. could have wanted.

The three-goal margin of victory was the United States' largest at a World Cup since a pair of 3-0 wins in the inaugural tournament in 1930.

But now the curious: Christian Pulisic, the star midfielder, was substituted at halftime after delivering a world-class performance. He told reporters afterward that he was taken off as a precaution after getting a kick to his left calf, adding that he's «really hoping that it's nothing.»

— Pulisic subbed off at halftime with USMNT rolling
— USMNT rolls past Paraguay — as it happened

It was, in many ways, the only thing that went sideways for the U.S. The 70,492 fans at SoFi Stadium — very few of whom were cheering for Paraguay — celebrated from nearly the opening kickoff.

«That is what we were waiting for,» U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino said of the fans' support. «When you talk about America — that passion, that feeling — today they were amazing and now they realize that soccer here in America is massive. Be careful other sports.»

Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first half to become the first American with two goals in a World Cup game since the inaugural edition in 1930, and Pulisic was electric before his exit. Pulisic assisted on Balogun's first goal and set the table for a Paraguay own goal in the seventh minute that opened the doors for a U.S.