INGLEWOOD – Almost everyone expected the U.S. men’s national team to beat Paraguay in the Group D opener at Los Angeles Stadium, but not by 4-1 with a dominating first half the likes of which hasn’t been seen in years. You have to go back nearly a quarter century to June 5th, 2002, for that. Team USA was also up 3-0 at the half against Portugal in the opening game of the World Cup in Suwon, South Korea. Back then, no one could believe their eyes as Bruce Arena’s team punched above their weight and hung on in the second half for the 3-2 upset. This time around, there was no hanging on; we saw it coming, even though the results were a mixed bag leading up to the tournament. Mauricio Pochettino’s men put the pedal to the metal from the get-go and hit cruise control, as everything went their way in the first half, and rightly so.“In the first 45 minutes we were amazing,” Pochettino said. “I think it’s difficult to find a team that plays like this, no?”The match started at an unrelenting pace as the hosts put the Albirroja under constant and intense pressure. The US shake-and-bake offense juked and dribbled their way around their South American opponents with ease. Backheels and trick passes from Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest, and Antonee Robinson were on full display as the team oozed with confidence. The precise timing of runs and weight of so many passes showed the unity and understanding Pochettino has instilled in his squad.“It was an incredible start,” Pulisic said. “It feels great to have helped my team in the first half, but we haven’t accomplished anything yet, and we have a lot more to do.”The AC Milan playmaker, who was subbed out as a precaution and will be available to play against Australia in Seattle on Friday, was as imaginative as he was unstoppable. He split a double-team before passing to McKennie on the own goal, and used his speed and determination to set up Folarin Balogun’s first goal.The brilliant Balogun played with patience and accuracy seldom seen from American strikers. The AS Monaco striker was rewarded with a brace moments before the halftime whistle with a spectacular shot that came off a slicing through-ball from Malik Tillman.Although there were many moments of individual brilliance, it was the entire team performance that impressed the most. Everyone on the pitch played with swagger and self-assurance, filling their roles exactly as Pochettino prepared them to do. The freedom of movement in attack and a disciplined back-line shift allowed Dest to remain up front with Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, and Tim Ream moving right, and Robinson dropping back to cover the left flank.“That is why we were desperate a year ago to work with the whole team, and we didn’t have that possibility,” Pochettino said. “We know very well that if you have the opportunity to work three, four weeks with a whole group, that you can believe these types of things can happen.”Paraguay failed to cope with the hosts’ high press, repeatedly losing possession close to their own penalty area. Consequently, the pressure on the South Americans’ goal remained consistent throughout the game, which became more disjointed and hard-fought in the second half.Sure, the USA took their foot off the gas pedal after Pulisic was substituted, but the team not only lost its width on the left with someone who can make runs in behind, they also lost that one-on-one player who can take on multiple opponents without skipping a beat. Even without their talisman, the US had positive offensive forays, with Ricardo Pepi and Tillman getting three good scoring opportunities as the second half progressed.Unfortunately, all the good defensive work came undone in the 73rd minute when Tyler Adams got his head on a long ball from Albirroja keeper Orlando Gill that sailed backward over Richards, who played the full 90 in his return from an ankle injury. Ream failed to clear the bouncing ball, which Miguel Almiron poked over to Julio Enciso. He, in turn, quickly passed it on to the wide-open Mauricio, who had caught Weah napping on the left flank. The Palmeiras midfielder’s left-footed shot flew past the diving Freeman, who had no chance to get a glove on the ball.While conceding goals remains an issue, scoring them is not. Gio Reyna saw the contest out with an exclamation mark. His stunning outside-of-the-boot shot that sliced into the far corner of the net was a masterpiece and added to the record books.The four goals are the most any US team has scored in a World Cup game, but the way they’re playing, that record might not last long. After all, the previous time the USA got off to a start like this in 2002, they reached the quarterfinals before bowing out to Germany. This time it looks as if they could make it even further.