USMNT embracing a style unlike we’ve seen before — it’s already paying off

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Playing top-class foes in international soccer doesn’t go like this. And the U.S. facing World Cup crucibles has never gone like this.

Team USA’s 4-1 evisceration of heretofore-stout Paraguay wasn’t so much un-American as maybe, just maybe, new American: attack-minded; offensively fluid; and with a confidence unlike anything we’ve seen from them on this stage, perhaps ever.

“It’s pretty special to watch,” Christian Pulisic said. “It’s fun to look around and know there’s different guys that can pull off these different skills and moves going on. It’s great.”

Christian Pulisic rushes up field as Juan Jose Caceres and Diego Gomez defend during the USMNT’s World Cup-opening win over Paraguay. Getty Images

The U.S. men’s national team always has played nail-biters in the World Cup. Get stuck in, defend and try to grind out results through work rate, conditioning and defense.