Players had dreamed of a special World Cup opener.
“I mean, my whole life I feel like I’ve envisioned it,” Chris Richards said.
“But tonight was way better than what I could’ve envisioned. It was surreal.”
The (almost) perfect World Cup start.
What a night.
USMNT lineup exactly as expected for the World Cup opener v Paraguay:
Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman; Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic; Folarin Balogun
There is a World Cup game in the United States today.
Incredible.
And @theathletic.com's coverage is unparalleled. I promise you.
So much going on, and my brain works so methodically, that I haven't had time to promote much of it. But please go find it. And follow along tonight.
For eight years, we talked about potential.
And about Friday, June 12, 2026, as the moment this USMNT would have to meet.
On a near-perfect night at SoFi, they met it, and maybe, just maybe, took U.S. men's soccer into a new era.
Column @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...
