Pochettino Hails Team Spirit as USA Thrash Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup Opene
By Onyewuchi Chima Sunday
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has praised the collective effort of his squad after their emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the triumph was built on teamwork rather than individual brilliance.
The co-hosts produced an impressive display before a packed crowd in Los Angeles, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice, Gio Reyna adding a spectacular late goal, while Paraguay also conceded an early own goal to complete a memorable night for the Americans.
Speaking after the match, Pochettino declined to single out any player for special recognition, stressing that every member of the squad contributed to the dominant performance.
"It's not only about talking about some names; it's about the collective," the Argentine coach said. "It's not only Balo or different players that performed. I think the team was amazing—not only the starting eleven but all the players around and on the bench."
The former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager also applauded the remarkable support from the 70,000 fans who filled the Los Angeles Stadium, describing their energy as a major source of inspiration for the team.
Despite reports suggesting that the World Cup has been competing for attention with the ongoing NBA Finals in the United States, the atmosphere inside the stadium was vibrant and passionate throughout the encounter.
"On behalf of the whole team, a massive thank you to the fans because the energy they gave the team was amazing, and we can achieve amazing things if they continue to support us this way," Pochettino added.
The convincing victory places the United States in a strong position in Group D, where they will next face Australia before concluding the group stage against Turkey.
While pleased with the opening result, Pochettino urged his players to remain focused, noting that qualification for the knockout stage is far from secured.
"There are still two games to play. We need to enjoy this start to the tournament, but we must keep improving and do even better in the next match because every game is highly competitive," he said.
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