It ought to come as no surprise that Folarin Balogun was inundated with congratulatory texts and direct messages in the hours and days after the most magical night of his life. The Brooklyn-born U.S. men’s national team forward scored two spectacular goals last week in his World Cup debut, helping the USA to an emphatic … Read more
U.S. World Cup Team Training Base (IRVINE, Calif.) – One storyline has dominated the buildup to the U.S. men’s national team’s second World Cup match against Australia on Friday. Specifically, one word. When both nations were drawn into Group D last December, former MLS player and current CBS analyst Mike Grella labeled the looming matchup … Read more
U.S. World Cup Team Training Base (IRVINE, Calif.) — Although U.S. men’s national team forward Christian Pulisic participated in a “modified training” session on Monday after leaving last week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup-opening win over Paraguay with a sore calf, midfielder Tyler Adams insisted that Pulisic “will be ready” for the Americans’ second Group B … Read more
LOS ANGELES STADIUM — How do you celebrate scoring twice in your World Cup debut and helping your team open the tournament with a 4-1 victory? “You know, watch some Netflix,” USA striker Folarin Balogun joked after recording half the goals in the U.S. men’s national team’s rout over Paraguay on Friday. Balogun called it … Read more
LOS ANGELES STADIUM — A day before the USA men’s national team produced its most lopsided victory in almost a century’s worth of FIFA World Cup appearances, head coach Mauricio Pochettino mentioned something that felt like a throwaway remark at the time. In their opening match of the 2026 tournament, the USA’s players “need to … Read more
There’s no way around it: The U.S. men’s national team was dominant in the first half against Paraguay in its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on its way to a 4-1 victory. The USA got out to a 3-0 lead in Friday’s Group D opener, with striker Folarin Balogun scoring a brace … Read more
LOS ANGELES STADIUM — Four years ago, at the last FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the U.S. men’s national team scored just three goals in four games. It took the team just 45 minutes of the 2026 event to equal that output. And then another 45 minutes to make history. The tournament co-hosts kicked off … Read more
LOS ANGELES STADIUM — I knew this USA team could cook, but it threw some special sauce in on Friday night. The USA gave us a little bit of everything — and then some — in the first half of its win over Paraguay. Mauricio Pochettino’s team was dominant from the opening whistle to the … Read more
Los Angeles Stadium (INGLEWOOD, Calif.) — Sitting at the dais the day before his first match in charge at a World Cup, United States national team boss Mauricio Pochettino went back to the beginning of his tenure at the helm of the tournament co-hosts. Pochettino said back in September 2024 at his introductory press conference … Read more
If the United States men’s national team is to make a long run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a lot will have to go right. That starts with the team’s key players, many of whom will be playing in their second World Cup. Of course, all 26 players who step onto the field for … Read more