Di USMNT don kick off dia World Cup campaign with style, as dem hammer Paraguay 4-1 for Friday night. Di win don put dem on top of Group D with plus-3 goal difference. But di reality no dey show how perfect di first 90 minutes of dis tournament be for Mauricio Pochettino’s boys.
Di Americans score four goals, wey be di most dem ever score for one World Cup match. Dem nearly double Paraguay for possession, 65% to 35%, pass attempts, 598 to 319, chances created, 12 to 7, and shots, 16 to 9. Paraguay wey be one of di best defenses for South American qualifying, wey beat Argentina and Brazil, look like dem never play football before.
ESPN turn to analysts Jeff Carlisle, Sam Borden, and Cesar Hernandez to ask if dis win be di best for USMNT history. For Borden, di short answer na yes. He talk say, ‘Recency bias dey real, but di pure beauty and comprehensiveness of Friday’s beating far more impressive.’ He compare am to di 2002 World Cup knockout win over Mexico, wey come through resolve and fortitude. Dis time, di USMNT seize control of di match, even against a defensive juggernaut.
Carlisle talk say di Americans vastly exceed expectations. Di margin of victory equal di biggest for program history from 1930. Di team dey on top from opening whistle, and save for few spells for second half, dem dey largely in control. Dis na against a side wey concede just 10 goals for 18 matches. He add say, ‘What dey sustainable na di way di team press and attack. Dat bode well for deep tournament run.’
Hernandez say he no go talk say di Americans massively exceed expectations, but e significant. For previous eras, di USMNT go be more pragmatic with 1-0 lead, but dat no be di case Friday. Pochettino no utilize regular best XI enough for lead-up, but di immediate chemistry on display and di proactive efforts impress.
Christian Pulisic never look better. Malik Tillman be revelation. Di team press and attack constant, no be aimless possession. Di win go down for history, but Hernandez still rate di 2009 Confederations Cup win over Spain as top, because na knockout round against legends like Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, Xabi Alonso, and Fernando Torres. Carlisle say if na di most stylish win, Paraguay match go tough to top.
