Was Paraguay that bad? Was the U.S. that good? After some thought, I’d say the latter is the more accurate assessment. The United States men were that good yesterday in Los Angeles before 70,000-plus fans in SoFi Stadium.

A solemn space at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Larry, Scott, and I prepared for the big event by attending the FIFA Fan Zone in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, itself a grand venue. Another former teammate of mine, John Ryan, from my Florida playing days, had traveled to L.A. with his girlfriend to attend the match (the two of them are also making their own journey up the coast to Seattle during this World Cup) and we met them at the coliseum.

Scott, Larry, and James outside SoFi before the match.

All was orderly and efficient at the match stadium, entry lines moving briskly, excitement visible. Reuniting with Larry and Scott for the tournament has been a surreal experience for me, and that sensation was heightened as I thought back to our Germany days. Fußball was and is front and center for us; we were in our safe space.

The K-Town trio at SoFi.

I won’t go on about the match. I enjoyed it thouroughly. Pulisic was splendid in the first half (he was substituted out at the half after sustaining a “kick” to a calf), there were two stellar goals — one from Balogun, one from Reyna, the latter my favorite, a curling piece of poetry that he curved around the keeper — and the U.S. side played a nearly flawless match. If they play close to this level against Turkey on the 25th things will really become exciting for U.S. supporters.

We will now enjoy Saturday in Los Angeles, take in the Brazil-Morocco match at home, and prepare for the journey toward Seattle. And what’s that I hear? It’s Die Mannschaft calling — Germany kicks off its tournament tomorrow, and I’ll be watching as we head up the coast.