INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The 1994 World Cup gave much of the nation its introduction to soccer. But this 2026 World Cup could spark a love affair.
Midfielder Weston McKennie grew up in Little Elm, Texas, deep in soccer nation. The rectangular type of soccer, whose followers typically mocked soccer as too boring, too low-scoring, too arduous to get into. But from McKennie to coach Mauricio Pochettino, they see a likelihood to change the sport in this nation.
Friday’s U.S. 4-1 rout of Paraguay at SoFi Stadium was the good method to open the match. And open eyes.
“Amazing. That is what we were waiting [for]. When you talk about America, that passion, that feeling, they were amazing,” Pochettino said. “Now they realize that soccer here in America is massive, is big. Be careful, the other sports.”
Despite pre-tourney issues about ticket costs and attainable protests, the crowd wasn’t just bought out but electrical. Yes, there were the expected glitterati like Tom Cruise, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx and Sofia Vergara. But it was the most-watched U.S. males’s telecast ever with 25 million tuning in stateside.
Clearly, soccer is having a second. But can they make it a watershed one?
“Because it’s a World Cup and it’s in America, people came out,” McKennie said. “But we’re OK with that. There’s a lot of folks here that possibly have never come out to support us. But hopefully [Friday], with this efficiency, they can see and join with us. That’s something we need to be, is relatable, and they can see the pleasure that we have when we play.
Christian Pulisic of USA celebrates a aim with teammates an own aim scored by Damian Bobadilla of Paraguay during the 2026 FIFA World Cup First Stage Group D match between USA and Paraguay at SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium) in Los Angeles, California, United States on June 12, 2026. Anadolu via Getty Images
“And then for the folks, everyone that says, ‘Oh, soccer’s boring,’ properly, you have 5 objectives. So hopefully they might not say that anymore, and really feel this electrical energy in the stadium and the ardour of followers who’ve been viewing us for years and for a long time.
“And even from Paraguay fans. That’s one thing that’s going to change soccer here is having the World Cup here, because a lot of people will be touched by the passion that a lot of the fans have and the extent they go through to be here.”
The environment in the stands was a nice commercial for the sport. So was the play on the area, with the U.S.’ highest aim tally ever at a World Cup.
Brooklyn-born Folarin Balogun’s brace made him the first American with a multi-goal World Cup recreation since 1930. From McKennie’s motion and Tyler Adams’ work fee and Malik Tillman’s flicks, the midfield dominated. And Christian Pulisic was the finest player on the pitch.
USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie (8) strikes the ball against Paraguay in the second half during a Group D match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It’s raised expectations — and consciousness.
“Now at the moment I feel everybody has a different expectation and a different perception of our team,” fullback Sergiño Dest said. “The atmosphere was amazing, it was great. … This is nice. This is what a World Cup should be like, always. All the games should be like this. The stadium is also amazing. It was a nice atmosphere and we appreciate the support, because we need that. We need the country behind us.”
The nation tuned in, with 15.986 million watching Friday on Fox Sports platforms and another 8.9 million on Telemundo. It was even the most-streamed English-language U.S. males’s match, drawing an common of 1.13 million on Tubi.
Aashish Kiphayet/Zuma / SplashNews.com
Many were seeing the U.S. play for the first time. Can the efficiency be a game-changer that turns them into followers, future gamers or both?
“This is a life-changing tournament when you play at home,” said Tony Meola, who captained that 1994 U.S. World Cup squad. “The people who know football, know soccer, they all know Christian. Right now, there’s someone who doesn’t know Christian, but 32 years from now … someone’s going to say, ‘Hey, you changed my life. I got turned on to the game. I didn’t know anything about the game.’ And that’s going to start 1781479592 for this group.”
If Meola’s team 32 years in the past launched them to soccer, this one has an alternative to make them fall in love with it.
Source hyperlink
