USMNT eyes back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time in 96 years

The GIST: The USMNT put together a perfect opening game. We’re not saying it was the best game of soccer ever played or that there’s nothing to improve on, but they couldn’t have started the tournament better. The boys scored the most goals in a single WC game in USMNT history and certainly made some new fans in the process.

🤭 The biggest lesson learned? This team is good. Are they great? Still TBD but now we know they can play a cohesive 90 minutes. Plus, doing it against a South American opponent known for their defense is no small feat, even if the U.S. were favored against Paraguay.

• Taking care of business in the opener — something many tourney favorites failed to do — puts this squad in prime position to make it out of the group stage. Love that for us.

💯 Nobody tell Hannah, but defender Chris Richards was literally perfect in the opener: He completed all 83 of his passes, something that hasn’t been done in a WC for 60 years. Here are a few players on the receiving end of those passes and how they can shine against Australia.

• 🔴 Tim Ream | Center back: The peanut butter to Richards’ jelly, Ream makes up the other half of this central defender tandem whose smart play and high press allowed the U.S. to maintain possession and continuously attack against Paraguay.

• ⚪ Malik Tillman | Midfielder: Known as a creative playmaker, Tillman’s skills were on full display last week. He wasn’t able to capitalize on some good looks, but did set up the stunning third goal of the game to none other than…

• 🔵 Folarin Balogun | Forward: Talk about a signature performance. Balogun is now the first USMNT player to score multiple goals in a WC game since 1930. His speed and finishing just might land him in the Golden Boot race.

The GIST: The Aussies pulled off the first major upset of the tournament, stunning Tϋrkiye 2–0 on Saturday. Solid defending and a dangerous counterattack helped them get the job done, an effort they’ll be looking to replicate.

🦘 The Socceroos showed that quality matters over quantity. Australia maintained just 28% of possession compared to Tϋrkiye, were outshot 30 to 9, and completed 400 fewer passes, but made the most of their moments and their opponent’s mistakes. Forward Nestory Irankunda slotted home their first goal off a textbook counter, finding the back of the net with just two touches.

• Then in the second half, midfielder Connor Metcalfe capitalized on a turnover — his long-range strike should be a warning to the U.S. that he can score from anywhere.

👀 In a word, Australia is fearless. They started their youngest WC roster ever, and that youthful talent displayed tactical discipline, especially on defense. Their opener left everyone talking about two youngsters in particular.

• 🟢 Patrick Beach | Goalkeeper: The 22-year-old made just two appearances for the national team before Saturday, getting the start ahead of three-time WC goalie Mathew Ryan. The huge gamble paid off: Beach set a team record for saves and kept a clean sheet.

• 🟡 Nestory Irankunda | Forward: The aforementioned goalscorer is a huge threat and can split the U.S. defense with a few simple touches. His speed is dangerous, but luckily the USMNT have Antonee Robinson, one of the fastest fullbacks in the world.

The USMNT entered their game vs. Paraguay having recently beaten them in a friendly, and the same is true of Australia — the U.S. won 2–1 in late 2025 thanks to a stellar come-from-behind effort. The build up for today’s game has seen a lot of headlines around Christian Pulisic’s calf injury and unfortunately, the striker will be a gametime decision. Stay tuned.

😠 With or without Pulisic, watch for the Socceroos to try and frustrate the American attack by packing the box with their lockdown defense. Australia is also much taller than Paraguay and boasts a height advantage over the U.S. on set pieces, a good test for Robinson and Richards.

🃏 While the Aussie counter poses a threat, the USMNT have a few aces up their sleeve, namely their midfield. Arguably their strongest position group, the U.S. midfielders are a dangerous combination of quick and experienced.

• The midfielders are also key to stretching the field. Australia will likely play with five defenders who like to keep things compact. By exploiting the flanks, the U.S. can draw the Socceroos out of formation and attack that new space with low crosses to negate their big back line. Simple as that.