The U.S. men’s national team captured the eyes of more than 18 million Americans as the 4–1 victory over Paraguay became the second-most watched men’s World Cup game in the country’s history.
For many tuning in, the brash, attacking style would fit the personality of manager Mauricio Pochettino and align with what people expect from a U.S. team. They were physical, unrelenting and still skillful, as Folarin Balogun scored a brace and they played their South American Group D opponents off the pitch.
