The noise didn’t stop. From the moment the U.S. national anthem faded inside Los Angeles Stadium, the crowd made sure the Paraguay players knew they were visitors. Red, white, and blue jerseys packed every section. Chants rolled down from the upper decks. And by the time Folarin Balogun smashed home the first goal in the 12th minute, the building was already shaking.
That’s the scene that left Mauricio Pochettino genuinely stunned after the USMNT’s 4-1 win in their World Cup opener Friday night. Not because his team played well — he expected that — but because the energy from more than 70,000 American fans felt different. Real. Loud enough that the Argentine manager made it a point to thank them twice during his post-match press conference.
A Performance Built on Belief
“They were amazing,” Pochettino said. “On behalf of the whole team, massive thank you to the fans because the energy that they translated to the team was amazing. We can do amazing things if the fans are in this as well.”
The U.S. jumped to a 3-0 lead before halftime — the first time in program history they’ve held a three-goal advantage at the break in a World Cup match. Balogun and Gio Reyna both found the net, Christian Pulisic pulled strings in midfield, and the defense limited Paraguay to just one shot on target all night. It was the kind of complete performance the team had been chasing since Pochettino took over.
But what stood out to the coach, beyond the scoreline, was the crowd. He had said after the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Final that American fans needed to show up — not just on social media, but inside the stadium with real passion. Friday night, they delivered.
Stars, Streets, and a Nation Watching
Los Angeles brought its usual celebrity buzz: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Halle Berry, David Beckham, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were among those spotted soaking in the atmosphere. But the real spectacle happened outside the stadium, too. Watch parties in Atlanta, Dallas, Boston, New York City, and Venice Beach — the site of U.S. Soccer House — drew thousands of fans dressed in kits and waving flags. They erupted for every goal, just like the fans inside.
That energy wasn’t accidental. This World Cup has been eight years in the making, ever since the U.S., Mexico, and Canada won the bid in 2018. The vision was to prove soccer belongs in America at the highest level. After one game, Pochettino believes the message got through.
“When you talk about America — that passion, that feeling — today, they were amazing,” he told FOX. “And now, they realize that soccer here in America is massive. It’s big. Be careful, other sports.”
The win clears the path forward. The USMNT has two more group stage matches on the West Coast, and the weight of expectation has shifted. Now it’s about building momentum, keeping the fans engaged, and proving Friday night wasn’t a one-off.
“We need to enjoy the start of the tournament but know that we need to keep going and try to improve,” Pochettino said. “All the games are very competitive.”
The first test is passed. The dream is alive. And 70,000 people made sure everyone watching knew it.
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