AGENCIES

USA coach Mauricio Pochettino insisted that the 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their World Cup opener was built on collective effort rather than individual brilliance, after a commanding display in Los Angeles.

The result marked the first time the US have scored four goals in a World Cup match, with forward Folarin Balogun netting a brace to become the first American since 1930 to score twice in a single tournament game.

Support also came from Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie while Gio Reyna added late flair, as the hosts overwhelmed Paraguay.

Despite the emphatic scoreline, Pochettino said he would not single out players, stressing the importance of unity and squad depth. “It is about the collective, about everyone on and off the pitch,” he said, praising the energy of the fans in Los Angeles.

However, concern lingered over Pulisic after he was substituted at half-time with a minor calf knock. The coach added that a longer training camp had helped build cohesion ahead of Group D matches against Turkey and Australia, urging focus on the bigger tournament picture.

Pochettino said the extended preparation window allowed coaching staff to work on tactical structure rather than last-minute selection, a luxury rarely available in international football. He noted that the team absorbed the crowd atmosphere and used it as momentum throughout the match, particularly in a dominant second half where Paraguay struggled to respond.

While the win places the US in a strong position in Group D, Pochettino cautioned that it was only the opening step on the road ahead.