U.S. Fans Pack $10 Los Angeles Watch Party as Team Beats Paraguay 4-1

Q: Can this revitalized USMNT finally break its 24-year curse and advance past the Round of 16?

Yes, they have a real chance, but the safer expectation is still that the U.S. falls short of the quarterfinals. The case for optimism is stronger than it has been in years. The 4-1 opening win over Paraguay showed a sharper, more confident team under Mauricio Pochettino, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice and Christian Pulisic driving the attack before being taken off as a precaution. Pochettino has also built a more demanding, unified culture, and the U.S. benefits from home support, a favorable atmosphere, and an experienced core from the last World Cup cycle. The expanded 48-team format also helps the U.S. get into the knockout rounds. But it does not make breaking the drought easy. To reach the quarterfinals, the Americans now likely need to win two knockout matches instead of one, because the tournament includes a new Round of 32 before the Round of 16. That is where skepticism remains. Most expert forecasts still project the U.S. to advance from Group D but go out in the Round of 16, largely because a stronger opponent such as Argentina, Belgium or another elite side could await. Analysts broadly agree the U.S. is improved, but not yet consistently at the level of the world’s top contenders. So the answer is that the curse can be broken, and this team may be the best-positioned U.S. side in years to do it. But based on current evidence and expert consensus, a Round of 16 exit remains the more likely outcome than a quarterfinal run.

3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 12

$10 tickets drew a packed crowd to the Los Angeles Coliseum, where U.S. fans celebrated the national team's 4-1 World Cup opening win over Paraguay instead of paying far higher prices at SoFi Stadium.
Christian Pulisic set up two goals and Folarin Balogun scored twice as the U.S. surged to a 3-0 halftime lead in its first World Cup game on home soil in 32 years.
Fans said the fan festival offered a family-friendly, stadium-like atmosphere with big screens, food and sponsor activations, making it the closest affordable option to attending a match live.
That affordability still drew criticism, with some attendees saying even fan events should cost less and arguing FIFA and U.S. organizers were pricing out ordinary supporters.
The turnout underscored how host-city watch parties are becoming a key outlet for fans seeking community and access during a World Cup many residents cannot afford to enter.