After Months of Tinkering, the USMNT Finally Looked Like It is Fulfilling Its Potential
Mauricio Pochettino's blueprint came together perfectly in the USMNT's 4-1 demolition of Paraguay, with the performance offering the clearest evidence yet of the attacking identity he has worked to build since taking over.
Rather than channeling everything through one outlet, the U.S. attacked from multiple directions, stretching Paraguay both wide and in behind their backline. Christian Pulisic was at the center of it, repeatedly isolating defenders down the left with his speed and dribbling, while also drifting infield to link with Weston McKennie and help the Americans overload central areas. Paraguay right back Juan Caceres had a miserable night trying to contain him, picking up an early yellow card out of sheer desperation.
The dominance wasn't built on individual moments alone. McKennie and Malik Tillman helped create numbers in midfield, while Sergiño Dest, though slower to get going, eventually made his mark with a pair of driving runs that turned defense into attack in an instant. And when Folarin Balogun finished off a defense-splitting ball from Tillman just before halftime, it showed the U.S. could hurt Paraguay through the middle just as easily as out wide.
With Paraguay's Julio Enciso and Antonio Sanabria starved of service and forced into low-quality chances, the U.S. controlled the game's territory and tempo for long stretches. After the first half effectively settled the contest, Pochettino began making changes, pulling Pulisic at the break and later subbing off Balogun and Dest, a sign he was already managing his squad with Australia looming on June 19.
The attacking intent never wavered, though. Even after Paraguay clawed one back, the U.S. carved out another chance late, capped by Gio Reyna's finish. For Pochettino, the result wasn't just three points, it was validation of the system he's been building.
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