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00:00Now it is finally here, a packed house in Los Angeles, a military flyover,
00:06moments away from the opening kickoff of the opening game of this home World Cup.
00:11Would the U.S. be fully healthy? And yes, they are.
00:13They are, and that is Chris Richards in the back.
00:16He gets to start some question marks about his ankle injury.
00:19That is a big one for the United States.
00:21He starts alongside Tim Rehm.
00:23The other decision the U.S. we're going to have is who's going to start in the goalkeeper position.
00:27Was it going to be Matt Fries or Matt Turner?
00:29Matt Fries getting the nod in his World Cup debut.
00:34Five starters for the U.S. making their debut.
00:37On the other side for Paraguay, a lot of experience in this team,
00:39but yet this entire lineup making their World Cup debuts.
00:43There was a lot of question marks about Julio Ncicic.
00:45Ncicic went off with a little bit of an injury against Nicaragua.
00:49Was he going to start? Was he not? Was he even available?
00:51Well, he starts, and that is a big one for Paraguay.
00:54Miguel Almiron, you recognize him from Atlanta United and MLS.
00:58And then up front, Sanabria, he will play as that point person.
01:01And their first of three games in the group stage against Paraguay on a lovely Friday evening in Southern California.
01:11It's underway.
01:14The United States and their new shirts of red and white stripes.
01:17That's what Paraguay traditionally wears.
01:19So they switch to the dark blue.
01:21The U.S. have to make sure that when they have the ball,
01:23they take care of the transition moments, but they will have chances.
01:26He's going to get in the end of that one.
01:28It's an inflow.
01:28But they get out of control.
01:30It's right to the goalkeeper, Orlando Hill.
01:31But a good early attacking look for the Indians.
01:34He can be the joker tonight, finding space.
01:36He can drift in that number 10 position.
01:38That time he finds space.
01:40Why?
01:42Alonzo lobs it forward.
01:44Reave threw his body in there just in time in front of Sanabria.
01:48How can the U.S. go in transition?
01:49Weston McKinney.
01:51For Alex Freeman.
01:52I still cut inside.
01:54Here's Christian Pulisic on the ball now.
01:56Draws the double team.
01:57Splits the double team.
01:58Pulisic in the box.
01:59Weston McKinney into the middle.
02:01It's an on goal.
02:02It's the United States on the board.
02:05Less than seven minutes in.
02:12To USC.
02:25This is just a terrific team move from the U.S.
02:29starting all the way back in their own end.
02:32And it's the pass from Alex Freeman that leads Weston McKinney.
02:35He's going to run with the ball now.
02:36Look at that pass.
02:37Takes the midfield out of play.
02:38McKinney's got options to his right.
02:40Offs to cut it back.
02:41Get it to your man, Christian Pulisic, who can make things happen.
02:442v1.
02:45No problem.
02:46Gets defenders off.
02:47Balance slips it to McKinney.
02:49He's trying to cross it over to Balligan in the middle.
02:52And it's Bobadilla who ends up putting it into his own net.
02:55But that is Weston McKinney.
02:57And that is Christian Pulisic.
02:59We talk about stars making the game for their team.
03:02There's your two stars, America.
03:04And there's your...
03:05That this crowd would have won it.
03:06This team would have won it.
03:07And Mauricio Pochettino would have won it.
03:09Anthony Robinson for Pulisic.
03:11Again for Kompany.
03:12Again skips away.
03:12He's tripped up.
03:13And let's see what Danny Monkley decides to do.
03:15Is he going to go early for a yellow card?
03:17He is.
03:17Juan Jose Cáceres draws the yellow.
03:20And a dangerous U.S. free kick coming, too.
03:22Dangerous.
03:22Pulisic hasn't really had a touch of the ball.
03:24And he has it.
03:25He does just to bring the game to life.
03:27So special.
03:28Sees Cáceres going to ground.
03:30Slips it through his legs.
03:31Little nutmeg here.
03:33Just glides past defenders.
03:35He's so good on the dribble.
03:45That's Pulisic now.
03:47Tillman.
03:48And right into traffic.
03:50That's going to be a foul, though.
03:51That was Bobadilla.
03:52Who met Tillman.
03:54And Tillman is shaken up from that one.
03:56It's a yellow card, as well.
03:59So that's two Paraguayan defenders on yellow.
04:01Almaro knocks it down in CISO.
04:03They're backing off him.
04:04He leaves it first on the deck.
04:06Well wide of Matt Frieses' goal.
04:09And he felt like he took a touch as he went running the second ball.
04:12Trying to get Tyler Adams off balance.
04:13He does.
04:14Creates just a little bit of space.
04:16And pretty clear he dragged that wide.
04:18And at least on that first low, it didn't look like it took any touch off the U.S.
04:21Oh, it did actually.
04:22Maybe.
04:22U.S. bench.
04:23I actually just had a touch when that ball came out here.
04:26I'm that close.
04:27This is an interesting vantage point.
04:29But as expected, absolute elation from the U.S. team after that goal.
04:32I did notice something interesting.
04:34Some frustration from Tyler Adams following the goal.
04:36He came over to Mauricio Pochettino.
04:38I wish I could get up and get closer to hear what he had to say.
04:41But Mauricio Pochettino hands on his shoulders.
04:43He's going to fall for Balligan.
04:45Here's Sergino.
04:46Dias cuts it back in the middle.
04:48It'll end up out for a corner.
04:54Just a block from Maraguay causing problems.
04:56They don't know who to pick up.
04:57You've got McKinney there in Balligan.
04:59And he was onside.
05:00That touch from McKinney leads to Balligan.
05:02Just a heavy first touch from Sergino Desk.
05:05Gets away from him and takes the angle too wide.
05:09Anthony Robbins did a take.
05:10First corner of the game for the U.S.
05:13Freeman in the back hose.
05:14Pops it back in.
05:15McKinney brings it down.
05:17Robinson.
05:18Great spot.
05:19Richards.
05:20That'll come off a defender.
05:21It's going to be a foul.
05:22And now concern as Richards is down.
05:26Alderete is down.
05:28Yeah, good recycling of this ball.
05:30Comes at the back post.
05:31Ends up being cleared away by Bobadilla.
05:33U.S. on the second ball with McKinney.
05:35And now you're recycling at the back post.
05:37Can you find space?
05:38Richards loves to back up to give himself an opportunity to attack it.
05:42He did.
05:43But that's a brave header from Alderete.
05:45Ends up drawing the foul by getting in front of Chris Richards, who was trying to dunk that.
05:50We saw the U.S. in both of the warm-up games kind of struggle.
05:54They lost their edge coming out of the hydration break.
05:57How do they keep that from happening?
06:00As McKinney, well, first of all, that one's going to find Mike Lissick there.
06:03We'll see.
06:05Palisick running in now.
06:07In for Tyler Adams.
06:08Great first touch.
06:09Still Adams.
06:10Balligan tight end.
06:11It's in!
06:15Flo Balligan celebrates.
06:17The flag is staying down.
06:19It's 2-0 for the United States.
06:23And now the flag does indeed come up.
06:28Tight indeed.
06:29Well, I wondered if Pulisic was maybe offside on this first one.
06:33Yes, that was the one.
06:35I don't know if it was the one on Balligan.
06:37That one might have been offside as well.
06:39And this is the part of this offside technology.
06:43And you want to let plays develop.
06:44Was Balligan offside or on?
06:46I actually think he might have been offside.
06:48It's a nice finish at the back post.
06:50But either way, the question...
06:54And you can be sure.
06:55It will be a theme.
06:56Paraguay, Australia, Turkey.
06:57They all feel that they can physically intimidate this U.S. team.
07:02And they are going to attempt to do so.
07:04Great ball by Robinson for Pulisic on the run.
07:07Pulisic trying to cut it back.
07:09It's Balligan.
07:10That time it's in.
07:11That time the flag is getting down.
07:13That time it's 2-0 for the United States.
07:38Well, this is the version of Christian Pulisic that everybody knows is there and even better.
07:44Just so lively down the left-hand side.
07:47So positive in his running.
07:48He sees that his defender is tucked in tight in Caceres.
07:51So he runs in behind.
07:53Finds the space.
07:54But gets his head up.
07:55And just lays a beauty of a ball.
07:57The weight of the pass allows Balligan to take it first time.
08:00Excellent position and focus to open up here and look where the goalkeeper is and find that far post.
08:07Talks so much about Flo Balligan and his hold-up play.
08:10Walks where Anthony Robinson scored that wonder goal against Germany.
08:13But set pieces are clearly an area of the U.S. field that can try to find an advantage.
08:18Snacking at the back post right now.
08:20Malik Tillman who was shaken up a couple minutes ago just before the hydration break.
08:24Looks to be fine.
08:25Swings in the corner.
08:27Richards!
08:28Just one!
08:31Everybody's at the back post.
08:32They free up Ream.
08:33He drags a defender with him.
08:35Then Richards just beats his man to the ball right around the penalty spot.
08:39I think that one was attended for Ream.
08:41Overhead it.
08:42Boy, that was just past the post of Hill.
08:45Chris Richards attacks the ball so well.
08:47The half-hour mark.
08:49Christian Pulisic's 21st career assist.
08:51Tied now for fourth most in U.S. history with Clint Dempsey.
08:55Our teammate for the next month and a half.
08:58And Pulisic there is going to commit that foul.
09:01Now, this one doesn't go.
09:03Just the main thing I notice right now from Christian Pulisic is his confidence.
09:07Even though he's got two.
09:08Well, he wants to focus on his goals.
09:12Well, they're going to see so now.
09:13It's a great tackle by Freeman.
09:16Ream is there.
09:17It deflects, but it's going to fall for Pulisic.
09:19Then he runs right in the track, but he's able to keep it.
09:21Now, here's Dest.
09:25Big tackle there by Alex Freeman.
09:27A lovely move, Serginio, Dest.
09:29Options for him.
09:30That's Weston McKenney who cuts it back into the track.
09:33And Todd saved by Hill.
09:36Six-foot-six frame.
09:37Able to make himself big and keep the U.S. from grabbing a third.
09:46That's effort.
09:47That's commitment.
09:48That's desire.
09:50And as you've said, appreciated by the fans.
09:54Right below us, Marister Pochettino.
09:56Balligan, can it get inside?
09:58Still Balligan.
09:59Throw Balligan!
10:14Goal!
10:16Goal!
10:16Goal!
10:17Goal!
10:18Goal!
10:19Goal!
10:21Goal!
10:22Goal!
10:23Goal!
10:23Goal!
10:23Goal!
10:24Goal!
10:25Goal!
10:25Goal!
10:25Goal!
10:27Goal!
10:28Goal!
10:29Goal!
10:29Goal!
10:43National goal for Flo Balogun, it might be one of his best.
10:47Drags his defender with him, stretches the back line, stays onside.
10:51Did the chance get away from him? No.
10:53Such great composure in this moment now when he cuts onto the left foot.
10:57Kupfer with both right and left, settles himself, not only picks out the corner, he picks out the top corner.
11:05Just a beauty for a second of the game.
11:07Pochettino's going to continue to do.
11:10Alexis is just enjoying.
11:12But, you know, at some point you also have depth, so you want to be smart here.
11:16To be fair, Alexis said this is all about fun, and so far this has been...
11:19Alexis is enjoying.
11:20Very fun, yes, he is.
11:22There are some changes for Paraguay.
11:24We'll take you back to our commentary team.
11:25Sue Holden alongside John Strong, chaps.
11:29Now, Rebecca, it's interesting.
11:30So Christian Pulisic is going to be withdrawn at the half here.
11:35Sebastian Berhalter will make his World Cup debut and become the second son of a former U.S. player to
11:41take the field at a World Cup.
11:43That type of reaction from you, knowing that, look, if they can get you to make a silly decision, you
11:48get a red card,
11:49it flips the momentum back in their favor.
11:52So this is a...
11:53It's a bad pass.
11:54Giveaway, Adams, they're trying to foul.
11:56Gustavo, Diego Gomez, they can't.
11:58Gomez now losing.
11:58It's an angle deflected shot.
12:00That's going to add a bout for a corner.
12:02That's a great example of how quickly...
12:04Yeah, he'll make a careless pass across the field.
12:07Berhalter tries to make the foul and doesn't get enough of Gomez.
12:11Then he goes wide.
12:12Reem does a good job of forcing him wide and getting enough of a contact on this ball.
12:16You'll see that little challenge.
12:17It's the underside of his right foot.
12:18Just get it out and get your shape and get up.
12:21Because that ball, a little late to close down the shot at the top of the box, a lot of
12:24space.
12:28On their own.
12:29Looking on Tim Ream.
12:31Ream couldn't get anything on that one.
12:33Decision on the field is going to be a free kick for Paraguay.
12:37Ream's going to pick up a yellow card here.
12:42I wasn't sure because it felt like the reaction from...
12:49It's that FIFA we're looking at in IFA before this tournament.
12:53Did this player, Almiron, dive and simulate to get Tim Ream cautioned?
12:58I do believe...
12:59I don't believe there's any contact.
13:01It's because...
13:01So look, that's what he's doing right now.
13:04Cancels the yellow card.
13:05Gives it to Almiron.
13:06Gives it to Almiron.
13:07This is what we're trying to get out of this game.
13:10You don't want to see people trying to simulate like that to draw fouls and win fouls.
13:15So in previous editions...
13:16And sometimes you say, look, is there too many things being reviewed and it's taken away?
13:20After on-field review.
13:21Clearly visible.
13:22No contact.
13:24Simulation by attacker Paraguay.
13:26Yellow card.
13:27Free kick.
13:28And really this is exactly what you want from a U.S. perspective.
13:31Confirmation of the halftime subs.
13:33Off of that, yellow card VAR change.
13:36Now the ball is up the field.
13:37You're slowing the momentum.
13:38Tillman.
13:39Tangled legs head to the air.
13:41On-field decision is no penalty.
13:43As Balogun goes down.
13:44Carlos Delcero Grande of Spain.
13:46The video assistant referee.
13:48He's the yellow card change.
13:49He's going to have a look at this right now as we...
13:51No.
13:52No penalty.
13:54Why not?
13:55Because he's just going around him.
13:57Balogun's actually trying to drag his left leg a little bit for the challenge.
14:01Third quarter for the U.S.
14:02They went close to the last one with Richards.
14:05This one is whipped in.
14:06Ream was in the area.
14:08And Cissot just kind of lobs it forward.
14:11Freeman trying to hold it in.
14:15Adams will just force Mauricio back.
14:17And then Mauricio goes to ground.
14:19And Tyler Adams gets a yellow card.
14:28It's another player you don't really want to be having to have on a yellow for all the defensive work
14:33that he has to do.
14:34Three goals.
14:35First man to score multiple goals in a World Cup game for the U.S. since 1930.
14:40Weston McKinney hooks it in.
14:42Balogun's too far for him.
14:43He's going to fall for Tillman.
14:45He's got Robinson on the overlap.
14:48And that makes the pass.
14:49Balogun.
14:50Tillman got there.
14:51Takes the ball.
14:52Contacts.
14:54Ruling on the field is a goal kick.
14:56U.S. bench.
14:57Half-heartedly placed here.
14:58Another man who scored against the U.S. in November.
15:02Alex Arce.
15:04And man down for the U.S. off the ball right now.
15:07It was Malik Tillman who took a bit of a knock in the first half as well.
15:13Substitution for a run-up right.
15:22And Cissot.
15:23One of them with Alex Freeman.
15:25Skips away.
15:25Now Freeman goes down holding his face.
15:27And Cissot running at Tyler Adams.
15:29Defending on a yellow card.
15:31Julio and Cissot.
15:32Shot was blocked.
15:33Tillman trying to clear the rebound.
15:35Can't do so.
15:36And it's going to be blasted at the stands in the end.
15:39Alex Freeman remains down.
15:41Alex Freeman in the face in the lead-up.
15:43But this is a good job defending by Tyler Adams.
15:45Not diving in.
15:46Not committing.
15:48Instead just slowing up at Cissot and allowing the help to come over and give him cover on the inside.
15:54Eventually it ends up in a shot from distance from Gomez.
15:56That was comfortable.
15:57Over the top.
15:58Fan gets a souvenir.
15:59Which, sorry, sorry.
16:00You don't get to keep it.
16:01Got to throw that one back.
16:04Junior Alonso will set up this long throw for Paraguay.
16:07Adams wins the header.
16:09I think in the middle of the field.
16:10It was Almarone with the ball.
16:11It was blocked by Anthony Robinson.
16:15The moment is taking a beating time.
16:17That's a foul.
16:19And Paraguay really starting to react at a big rate.
16:22Now he's down on the ground behind the play.
16:28And I think that would have been the change for Pepe.
16:31The changes.
16:32It's going to be Sergino Dest withdrawn.
16:35And that's the surprise.
16:36Tim Way was a lockdown starter for years for this U.S. team.
16:38Scored the opening goal of the last World Cup.
16:41And it's Way replacing Dest.
16:44The man who was one of the last cuts from the last World Cup team.
16:49Ricardo Pepe, who was on replacing Flo Balogin.
16:52Your thoughts, first of all, on Dest and Balogin tonight.
16:55Terrific.
16:56Both of them.
16:57Do they have an ability to be able to rotate and keep the same level of the guys that went
17:01off?
17:02Will will lift it forward off of the free kick.
17:05Comes backwards off of Adams.
17:06Head on Marone.
17:06Trying to get there.
17:07And Cecil to the far side.
17:09Mauricio scores!
17:12And Paraguay are able to chip away.
17:15They are able to create some doubt.
17:18It's the Brazilian-born Mauricio in just his fourth game for Paraguay,
17:23who has scored a World Cup goal with 20 minutes or so to go here in L.A.
17:29And this has been a concern for this U.S. team is conceding.
17:34And we'll see if there's anything contentious in there.
17:36It doesn't look like there's any offside on that initial ball.
17:39And I just think the U.S. back up too much.
17:42Chris Richards rushes out of space in that moment.
17:44He had a chance to attack the first ball.
17:45Then he's backing off.
17:47Tyler Adams is backpedaling to try to win that second ball.
17:50Green comes over to help.
17:51So does Freeman.
17:52So that leaves the space.
17:53Because it got kind of comfortable there for a while.
17:55It was kind of quiet there for a while.
17:59And the same thing that Mauricio Porcettino talks about so much is that this sport is so much about the
18:04mentality.
18:05It's so much about emotions.
18:06Give it away!
18:07Tillman!
18:07Riccardo Pepe!
18:08Malik Tillman!
18:13That might have slammed the door shut.
18:24Tillman!
18:25Tim Wyatt!
18:27Alongside defending.
18:29Way out!
18:29Just a touch there from Hill, the goalkeeper.
18:33We've heard a touch.
18:34The call on the field is that it's a goal kick.
18:37I like this from Ware though, being direct.
18:39That is absolutely a touch.
18:40You can see his hand flopping.
18:42But Hill has been cheating quite a bit, trying to stop some of these crosses.
18:47And so...
18:48I'm not sure if he's going to play or not in this game all week.
18:50Had the assist on the goal.
18:52There you go, Gomez.
18:53Good pressure for Pepe.
18:54Forces a turnover.
18:56Tillman.
18:57What does he have left in his legs right now?
18:59Can he just draw a foul, maybe?
19:01And he does.
19:03It's going to be a yellow card as well.
19:07And it'll be Diego Gomez showing the yellow.
19:11Real quick, Jenny Taft, news of a story.
19:13Mitch Ford, the second half.
19:15I'm good.
19:16I'm watching him on the bench right now.
19:17He's up and down on his feet.
19:20No signs of discomfort, in my opinion, from Christian Pulisic right now.
19:25And a pair of changes.
19:26Gustavo Velasquez will place.
19:28Couseres at right back.
19:30He's been playing on a yellow.
19:32McGill on the road.
19:33And he's withdrawn as well.
19:35Now, the next ten minutes plus.
19:38And he will replace just another great performer tonight, Malik Tillman.
19:50We hear a nice applause from the crowd there for Malik Tillman.
19:53Great recognition of just a...
19:55The U.S. is a matter of minutes away from doing just that.
19:59Can they play the game smartly?
20:01And see this out.
20:02Freeman back in the middle of the field.
20:04That's not a foul.
20:05It's a cleanly one tackle.
20:07And it's Sebastian Berthalter there.
20:09Able to clean it up.
20:11And then Reina is fouled.
20:12And then it's kicked away.
20:16And a yellow card.
20:19A great play to skim by a couple of defenders.
20:22But then the ball turns over.
20:23Sebastian Berthalter a minute.
20:25Ten yards sprint back to slide in and put that ball away.
20:42Malik Tillman.
20:43Ball over the top from Tim Ream.
20:44Finding Weston McKinney.
20:45We haven't seen as much of him running beyond the back line.
20:48Does this take a touch off of...
20:50I think Kuban.
20:51The U.S. keep running.
20:52Keep chasing.
20:53Keep up the fight.
20:54All the way.
20:55They're five minutes away.
20:57Freeman not going to be able to intercept that for Nciso.
21:00Can he make the defensive play on the outside now?
21:02Julio Nciso.
21:04Adams comes to help.
21:06Release Fullerson backwards.
21:08Adams then gets the ball.
21:10Goes down in the heap.
21:13Yellow card Scho.
21:16Dive in.
21:17That gives Adams a chance to come over and cover.
21:20Something he does so well.
21:21He told us that on Tuesday.
21:23Junior Alonso who gets the yellow.
21:25Fifth Scho.
21:30Almost took it to the place there at the end of a long sequence.
21:32And Arena cleans up.
21:34And Gio Arena's got to be smart.
21:35He's getting in Kaku's face.
21:37Connor Adams is going to separate those two.
21:39Final action of the game.
21:40Tim Rea.
21:41Berthalter would love a goal.
21:42Pepe, who's meant for Berthalter, takes it away.
21:46Freeman.
21:47Weah.
21:48Freeman.
21:50Gio Arena.
21:52Gio Arena!
22:15This might be one of the best back-to-front team goals this country and this team has ever put
22:22together.
22:23This was a 20-plus pass sequence from back-to-front, side-to-side.
22:28And you think, are they just going to see the game out?
22:31Well, they're going to see it out with an exclamation point.
22:33Gio Arena outside of the boot.
22:36Far post.
22:38Bends it around heel.
22:39Just a sensational goal from Gio Arena.
22:43And the nightcap, the Americans are here in their home country.
22:52And that's it.
22:54Three points for the United States.
22:56The most goals the United States have ever scored in a World Cup game.
23:01It is as close to a perfect beginning as any of us could have possibly imagined.
23:07Rebecca Lowe, over to you as it finishes in a joyful Los Angeles stadium.
23:15The United States for Paraguay 1.
23:19The United States for Paraguay 1.
23:19The United States for Paraguay 2.
23:19The United States for Paraguay 1.
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