USMNT Start Strong in World Cup with Victory, Concerns Arise Over Pulisic’s Injury

The U.S. men’s national team showed an outstanding performance in their home World Cup opener, taking a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime against Paraguay and finishing with a 4-1 victory. Monaco’s Folarin Balogun was the standout player, scoring two goals. Gio Reyna added another remarkable goal, marking an impressive tournament comeback after being nearly sent home from Qatar four years prior due to disciplinary issues.

An important concern has arisen regarding star winger Christian Pulisic, who was substituted at halftime as a precaution due to calf tightness. Pulisic was lively during the first half, and his absence in upcoming matches could be significant for the team’s success. Meanwhile, co-hosts Canada salvaged a late draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto, earning their first-ever World Cup point in a spirited atmosphere.

Ghana experienced notable developments with starting midfielder Thomas Partey denied entry into Canada due to ongoing legal issues in the UK, preventing him from playing against Panama on June 17.

The Athletic will provide daily recaps of the World Cup’s key moments throughout the tournament.

US Team’s Performance and Outlook

The team exceeded expectations with four goals, the highest in U.S. World Cup history, and their first-half display was considered one of their strongest in a major tournament. Questions have shifted from whether the team can compete at their home World Cup to how far they might go.

Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the team showed dominance. Folarin Balogun was impressive, especially with his left-foot goal. Malik Tillman controlled the midfield with intensity, while the defense remained solid, conceding only a late goal to Paraguay. Pochettino’s main concern is the fitness of Pulisic, essential for challenging stronger opponents.

The Athletic projects a 97 percent chance the USMNT will advance to the knockout stage, with a 59 percent chance to win their group. If successful, they could face teams such as Canada, Ecuador, Japan, Senegal, or Austria, teams below them in rankings. If finishing second in their group, the likely opponent would be Iran in the round of 32, but subsequent matches would be tougher.

The next match against Australia in Seattle is set for Friday.

FIFA’s Ticket Pricing and Fan Strategies

FIFA’s pricing strategy has faced criticism for being the most costly in World Cup history. The dynamic pricing model led to many tickets doubling in price compared to four years ago, resulting in empty seats in Guadalajara during tournament games. Despite this, savvy fans discovered ways to pay significantly less.

Henry Bushnell from The Athletic reported on fans buying tickets at lower prices through resale sites. One father and son acquired premium tickets at less than half the initial cost, and another family secured tickets for $1,250 each, also far below the original price.

Gianni Infantino noted high demand at listed prices, but fans found ways to benefit from price fluctuations, especially with resale opportunities. Prices have increased again after the U.S. win, which may impact options for the upcoming match against Australia.

Impact of Cyle Larin on Canada’s Performance

Canada’s fans displayed passion during their World Cup debut, marching through Toronto to support the team. Jesse Marsch’s decision to bring Southampton striker Cyle Larin onto the field led to an immediate impact, as Larin scored Canada’s equalizing goal.

Larin’s contribution secured Canada’s first World Cup points and improved their chances to advance from the group stage to 88 percent according to The Athletic, a boost attributed considerably to Larin’s goal.

“Larinisimo,” a term coined by fans of Larin’s former club, Real Valladolid, might see renewed use reflecting the forward’s influence in the tournament.

Saturday’s Matches and Key Players

Saturday promises a packed schedule with matches spread over 11 hours. Following positive results for all hosts, the tournament proceeds fully. Qatar faces Switzerland, a team with formidable knockout credentials. Expectations are high for Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi.

AFCON winner Morocco competes against Brazil in what could be a standout match. Brazil’s squad, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, includes talents such as Vinicius Junior and Raphinha. Neymar is set to miss this match due to injury.

Scotland will play Haiti, marking their first World Cup appearance in 28 years. Scott McTominay of Napoli is anticipated to play an important role.

Australia will meet Turkey in a pivotal game for both teams. Watch out for Turkey’s Arda Guler, a key player known for his exceptional striking ability.

• Group B: Qatar vs Switzerland (3pm ET; 8pm BST)
• Group C: Brazil vs Morocco (6pm ET; 11pm BST)
• Group C: Haiti vs Scotland (9pm ET; 2am BST)
• Group D: Australia vs Turkey (9pm PT; 12am ET; 5am BST)