The energy and excitement around the USMNT have been at an all-time high. With the play in Group D being finished, the men have earned their place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup in spectacular fashion.
Match 1: USA 4 – 1 Paraguay
The first match for the US took place in one of the country’s brightest cities. In front of a massive crowd at Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA, the country was all eyes on what this roster could produce on this stage. As the teams began their walk on the pitch, there was a sight to see as the Charlotte FC and USMNT Defender Tim Ream debuted his captain armband on the World Cup stage. It took only seven minutes for the squad to answer the call and show that they were here to play. With relentless pressure and a stellar move from Christian Pulisic, Paraguay conceded an own goal to give the US a 1-0 lead. SoFi Stadium erupted, and the tone was set for the rest of the match.
Then Folarin Balogun took over, and it was something to behold.
The striker doubled the lead in the 31st minute with a first-time finish from a great buildup. He then followed this up in the waning minutes of the first half, scoring a beautifully placed goal. Balogun’s two goals seemed to be the nail in the coffin early in the match.
In the 73rd minute, Paraguay’s MaurĂcio scored to make it 3-1 before Gio Reyna had the last word and scored in the late moments of the game, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Four goals in the opening match showed that the boys were ready to seize the moment.
With Ream on the backline for the USMNT, he helped orchestrate a defensive unit that performed well in the match and gave a boost in leadership from a veteran presence on the field.
Match 2: USA 2-0 AustraliaÂ
If the first match was the coming-out party for this squad, the second match was a demonstration of dominance.
With the fans bringing the noise and energy, the men brought the performance. Even without Christian Pulisic, the team didn’t back down from the challenge and rose to the occasion.
The start of the match presented itself in a similar form to the previous one. Relentless pressure, and timely execution that resulted in Australia ultimately giving up an own goal from Cameron Burgess.
Alex Freeman then extended the lead in the 43rd minute, heading in a finish off a deflected Sergiño Dest shot attempt.
In the second half, a back-and-forth battle ensued, with the Australian side beginning to create momentum and chances on goal. The USMNT defense again proved enough as they held on for a clean sheet and a win that put them in sole control of Group D.
This was the first time since 1930 that the USMNT had won two consecutive World Cup matches. History was not just being made; it was being stacked.
Captain Tim Ream stated after the game what most fans felt after the victory, “Something special is happening with this team, and the connection with the fans and this country.”
And we are all witnesses to this special team and its performance so far in group play.
Match 3: Türkiye 3 – 2 USA
In a match that had no effect on who would advance from Group D, Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the USMNT, decided to rest certain starters due to health concerns and yellow-card accumulation. Tim Ream, being one of those key players, will now have fresh legs as the team pursues its first Men’s World Cup title. This gave more USMNT players a chance to prove they are worthy of minutes on this stage.
And they came out ready to play.
In the 3rd minute, Auston Trusty headed home Sebastian Berhalter’s corner to put the US up 1-0.
TĂĽrkiye responded in the 10th minute with a sharp finish from Arda GĂĽler to even the score at one a piece.
Orkun Kökcü then followed up in the 31st minute to score and gave the Turkish side a 2-1 lead. This was the first time in three matches that the USMNT trailed.
But they didn’t go down without swinging. Sebastian Berhalter put away a goal early in the second half to bring life back into the home crowd and even the score at 2-2. With Christian Pulisic subbing on in the 58th minute, it felt as if the US was planning to make a final run for the win. They created chances and looked dangerous, but Kaan Ayhan had other plans and scored in the 98th minute to give Türkiye the 3-2 win.
What’s Next:
Even with the loss Thursday night, the USMNT showed flashes of depth and resilience. The starters will be rested and their leader and captain, Tim Ream, will be ready to take Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1st at 8 PM EST in the Round of 32 on FOX.
The time is now to continue their form and pursuit of the 2026 World Cup title.
The belief and feeling across the country are one and the same with Tim Ream’s statement, “We truly believe that we can go on and win this thing. We truly believe that we can make an incredible run, and we believe in each other. I think that’s the biggest thing. No matter who’s playing, we believe in each other, wholeheartedly.”
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