Sam’s Army Report 1: United States Against Paraguay

Sam’s Army is affectionately what the fans of the American Men’s team are called. The United States began its World Cup journey with a win over Paraguay 4-1. As the United States hosted, with Canada and Mexico, this World Cup, they were hoping for a bit of a hometown bump.

The United States was fortunate that it started with a weaker South American nation in Paraguay. However, Paraguay does not concede many goals. They are also physical. They made more tackles than any other South American nation in World Cup qualifying. How far do you think the United States will advance in the World Cup?

Sam’s Army Game Report: United States vs. Paraguay

The United States benefited from scoring its third-quickest goal ever in the World Cup. They led 1-0 on an own goal that was last touched by Christian Pulisic. This made Sam’s Army very happy and broke a long scoreless streak for Pulisic.

The United States dominated the early play, creating several other chances. They had many players forward, pressed the team from Paraguay, forced a yellow card, and injured a Paraguayan player. The crowd was very pleased with the pressing style the United States chose to play. Sam’s Army was in full effect.

One can tell a lot about a soccer match, where there is not much scoring, by which team has the lion’s share of possession. It was not long until the United States took a 2-0 lead. They actually had a goal called back for offside. In the 32nd minute, Phil Balogun scored for the United States. His parents are Nigerian, and Sam’s Army recruited him to the American side.

In the first half, the United States had the ball approximately 56% of the time. They put six shots on goal to two for Paraguay. Then Balogun scored again for the United States. It was 3-0. The last time the United States had a player who scored two goals in a game was in 1930 against Paraguay. Sam’s Army was ecstatic.

In the second half, the play was a bit more even as Paraguay started to play a more physical game and foul more. The United States had some more chances early, but seemed content to let the game end. Then they conceded a goal to Paraguay, and it was 3-1. The match developed into a slog whose pace definitely favored Paraguay.

The United States made several strange substitutions, with Pulisic and two-goal scorer Balogun both being subbed out. One of the comments made on the broadcast was that for a team to win the tournament, they need to be able to play their bench and be deep. The fact that the United States conceded a second-half goal and failed to score one of their own might not inspire confidence, but another comment made was that the United States did a good job of playing with the lead. Nevertheless, the result pleased Sam’s Army.

With almost no time left in the game, Gio Reyna scored. It was 4-1 for the United States, which was the final score of the game.

The Stars Came Out

There were several celebrities at the first World Cup game for the United States on home soil since 1994. Among the celebrities were: Actor Owen Wilson, Reality star Paris Hilton, Clippers guard Norman Powell, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, Current and former U.S. women’s national team players, Reality star Joey Graziadei, Reality star Tyler Cameron, Country musician Shaboozey, USWNT manager Emma Hayes, Soccer star David Beckham, Actor Tom Cruise, and technology moguls Bill Gates and Paul Allen.