The United States men’s national team is off to the start it needed. Playing in front of a home crowd in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the USMNT grabbed an early 1-0 lead against Paraguay in their Group D opener after Damián Bobadilla turned the ball into his own net.
The goal was initially credited to Christian Pulisic, the US captain, whose attacking play forced the error. Whether you call it a Pulisic goal or a Bobadilla gift, the scoreboard reads the same: USA 1, Paraguay 0.
How the goal happened
Pulisic, operating in his usual role as the team’s most dangerous creative outlet, applied early pressure that Paraguay simply couldn’t handle. The sequence ended with Bobadilla, a Paraguayan midfielder, inadvertently directing the ball past his own goalkeeper.
The scoring attribution confusion is worth noting, though. Early reports credited Pulisic directly, while subsequent analysis pointed to the deflection off Bobadilla as the decisive touch. This kind of back-and-forth is common in fast-moving match situations, and official FIFA scorekeepers typically settle the matter within minutes of a review.
The stakes of a home World Cup
This isn’t just any group stage match. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first ever co-hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It’s also the first edition expanded to 48 teams, spread across 16 venues throughout the three countries.
The lineup featured familiar names. Matt Freese was between the posts, with Chris Richards anchoring the defense. Weston McKennie provided his usual engine-room work in midfield, while Folarin Balogun led the line up front.
Paraguay brought legitimate firepower. Miguel Almirón, the Premier League presence, headlined the Paraguayan attack alongside Julio Enciso.
Recent history between the sides
These two teams met just months ago. In November 2025, the USMNT beat Paraguay 2-1 in a friendly match, a result that provided a small but useful data point heading into this tournament encounter.
What this means going forward
Paraguay now faces a difficult decision matrix. Do they chase the equalizer aggressively and risk getting caught on the counter by Pulisic and Balogun? Or do they stay compact and hope for a set-piece opportunity? The own goal forces their hand toward a more attacking posture, which could play directly into US strengths on the transition.