USMNT 4-1 vs Paraguay
The USMNT dominated Paraguay 4-1 in their World Cup opener, with Balogun scoring twice in an unexpectedly dominant performance.
Snapshot · The Bill Simmons Podcast
NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling
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Jun 19, 2026
Where this was said
World Cup Talk with Anthony Dabbundo
At 1:35:00 · chapter starts 1:33:13
Dabbundo nominates Germany as the fifth team to watch despite 14-1 odds — their attacking talent is formidable, but their defense has failed them for multiple World Cup cycles and a potential France clash on July 4th in Philly looms. The US bracket situation is laid out: finish first, and the round of 16 is in Santa Clara; win that, and it's Seattle July 6th; win again, quarterfinals at SoFi July 10th. Dabbundo's official prediction is the US wins their first two knockout games — potentially beating Belgium in the round of 16 for 2014 revenge — before running into Spain in the quarterfinals. He notes that with quarterfinals odds at +180, the market implies roughly a 37% chance of the US reaching the final eight. The episode closes with Simmons tipping the Sunday Netflix live show with Zach Lowe.
Brunson: 29 PPG across 4 straight playoffs
Bill Simmons noted Brunson has averaged 29 points per game across four straight playoff runs, establishing him as the best player in the Eastern Conference.
USMNT's 4-1 Win Was More Dominant Than Anyone Expected
Nobody — not even the most optimistic US fan — thought this game would go the way it did. The US washed away a solid South American team in the first half, with Balogun scoring twice and Pulisic torching their right back. Anthony Dabbundo was there, and he's never been this excited.
Chris Richards' Perfect Game — and What It Means for US Soccer
Chris Richards completed 83 of 83 passes against Paraguay and also threatened on set pieces. He plays every week on a good Premier League team without fanfare. He's the template for what the US needs more of — not superstars, just more Chris Richards-level professionals.
Richards: 83 of 83 passes completed
Chris Richards completed all 83 of his passes against Paraguay — a near-perfect defensive and passing performance described as 'the soccer defender perfect game.'
England's Second Half Tactical Revolution
England's first half under Tuchel was tentative. Then he said forget it at halftime, brought Olise central, and they played an incredible second half. English fans had been crying out for this bravery for years under Southgate's defensive safety-first approach.
France Is Still the Team to Beat — When They Try
France's first half was embarrassing. Their second half showed a ceiling that no other team in the tournament has. Once Olise moved centrally and started involving Mbappé, the whole game changed instantly. France could play like this from minute one — they just choose not to.
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