Belt to Ass. What a display against what should be a solid defensive unit. McKennie and Tillman were a problem in the Alley. Pulisic and Dest stretched the wings Freeman and Robinson were key with overloads Adams was Adams and spent a good amount of his shift in Paraguay's third. Richards looked world class with his passing accuracy and aerial duals won. He was always a threat on set plays. I am in awe Ream island was not a problem, he was able to deliver some key passes from deep We never really let it come down to Freese's performance but he was given permission to send it on restarts. Poch did not force him to play out the back. Paraguay's failure to press was a critical hit and so was the early OG. That OG was a consequence of relentless offensive USA pressure and that was part of Poch's design. Poch needs to sit back and sip on a glass of something nice.
Maybe I’m being a bit unfair to the U.S. announcers. The issue might actually be with the production team, maybe they’re the ones pushing for that constant, over-the-top enthusiasm, almost like a pro wrestling broadcast, lol. I just find that style hard to listen to these days. I much prefer the more understated British presentation.
Amazing. You don’t get these everyday (year, cycle). A fantastic performance. Richards, Balogun and CP were on another level, but everyone played great. Poch seemed to have diagnosed precisely how to threaten with that 30-40 yard ball down the (usually left) channel. It worked several times and was the tactical key the team needed. I was surprised Berhalter came in for CP, and I’m not sure that was the right move, but it worked out. If we can get Tillman to get some killer in him, the US can beat anyone. Side note: at the end of each half I was urging the team to just put their foot on the ball and see it out. I’m an idiot.
I understand what you're saying (and for my own taste, I would generally agree), but Fox would be dropping the ball if they didn't hype the hell out of this. It's the biggest soccer moment in our country in 32 years. A rare opportunity to actually move the needle, culturally. 1994 made soccer acceptable in our country. This tournament could have a similar effect, but further along the evolutionary path. People need to realize that this is the time to get excited.
So many great comments. Nothing much more I can add. I will post this. The anthem, the team as a unit, their USA swagger on full display, Poch knowing how to fully codify his boys, Balogun and his class, and let me high talk Freeman brothers and sisters!!! Rare when cold beers taste this good tonight!!! Those of us from a certain age recall playing Brasil on the 4th of July in '94, Tab getting hockey face broke and dem Samba Boys go on to win the Cup. It has been a hellava wait for tonight's performance!
I don’t think I’ve repped as many posts in my 24 years on BS combined as I just did in this post-game thread.
I live in Madrid so had to wake up at 2:30am for game. Small price to pay. Pulisic was just straight punkin dudes. When he got the ball he 90% of the time just squared up and was like “I’m going through you or around, so get ready”. Wes was exactly what I predicted. Heart on sleeve. Silky channel maneuvering. Getting into spots. I’m not gonna continue because we played AS A TEAM. Anyone watching could see that. And THAT could make all the difference for a deep run. We know we have the individual talent as displayed every weekend in the biggest leagues in Europe, but what we wondered was do we have the OG fight and heart for the USMNT. Well, last night gave us some answers. It’s one game. I know. But what. A. Game. To. Build. On. I believe that we will win. Love the BS fam!!
🇺🇸 @StuHolden saw this @USMNT beauty developing way down the field pic.twitter.com/GJ3nWltLQu— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 13, 2026
“I believe in what I see and I saw a great team today.” Thierry Henry shares his thoughts on the @USMNT’s 4-1 win over Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup pic.twitter.com/2hvvGXaxmW— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 13, 2026 "Things are changing for me. I'm a Knicks fan now... I'm USA all the way. Come on!"@Petercrouch reacts to the @USMNT's win over Paraguay pic.twitter.com/fLmhEtikdL— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 13, 2026
Balogun becomes the fourth US player at the World Cup in the modern era to score more than 1 goal. Pulisic becomes the first US player to tally a 3rd assist at the World Cup. Ream, Dest, A. Robinson, Adams, McKennie, Pulisic, Weah, and Reyna have now all gotten on the field in multiple World Cups. This was our first 3 goal win at the World Cup since playing Paraguay in 1930.
83 - Chris Richards completed all 83 passes he attempted for the #USMNT against Paraguay, the most passes with a 100 percent accuracy rate by any player in a FIFA World Cup match since 1966.Perfection. pic.twitter.com/kTD2kmrrPa— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) June 13, 2026
In all our World Cup wins post 1990...which, granted, isn't all that many... Have we ever had one before last night where the US finished the game just knocking the ball around the park (which ended up in a goal) as opposed to doing a whole bunch of last ditch defending or taking it to the corner flag? Has that even happened in any of our draws?
Last night was fun. My player ratings…. Balogun: Like shooting fish in a barrel Pulisic: BEAST McKennie: Monster Jedi: Man on fire Adams: All the rage back home Tillman: First time for everything Dest: Too hot to handle Ream: Like a fine wine Richards: You shall not pass Freeman: Smooth criminal Freese: Are we there yet? Subs Pepi: Hey guys I’m open! Berhalter: Fake it ‘till you make it Weah: Eat your betting money, but don’t bet your eating money Reyna: Saved at the 11th hour
I didn't hear why Pulisic was pulled. I assumed it was simply because we were up 3-0. Was something else said about it that I've missed?
I demand perfection! I also enjoy griping. I’m looking at the big picture, trying to win the whole tournament. Adams yellow card was very dumb, we let in bad goal, and poor choice for first sub. We got saved by brilliance of Pulisic/own goal, plus Balogun, plus pretty bad Paraguay.
were all the soccer reporters too drunk on happiness to do the post-match ratings? “hey you over there, soccer is just like ice hockey without the ice and skates.”
not one analyst gave us a chance in that game though. no one thought the first goal would stand up for long, then 2, then 3....with the help of jeff agoos portugal nearly clawed their way back.