INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The U.S. men’s national soccer team opened their World Cup Group D campaign with a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay, highlighted by a dynamic midfield performance that has drawn comparisons to the team’s core four years ago. This year’s version of the so-called "MMA" unit features Malik Tillman replacing Yunus Musah alongside Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams.

Tillman, 24, stood out as a key figure in the midfield, displaying both technical skill and tactical adaptability in a role that manager Mauricio Pochettino has redefined for him. Unlike his previous attacking positions—primarily as a No. 10 at PSV Eindhoven—Tillman has taken on a deeper, more defensively oriented position reminiscent of his current duties at Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. On Friday, he operated primarily as a No. 8, partnering centrally with Adams while McKennie pushed forward to support winger Christian Pulisic and striker Folarin Balogun.

Balogun, who scored twice in the match, praised Tillman’s relentless attacking mindset and creativity, emphasizing his importance for the team's progression in the tournament. McKennie also highlighted Tillman’s inventive style, differentiating the trio’s roles with himself as a workhorse and Adams as a high-energy ball-winner who covers extensive ground.

Tillman shared that the victory was a “proud moment,” particularly noting it was the first time his mother watched him play live in a national team game, an emotional experience before and after the match.

The tactical setup employed by the U.S. midfield earned praise even from the opposition. Paraguay’s coach, Gustavo Alfaro, described the American midfield’s structure as complex and fluid, referring to it as a "pentagon in midfield" that demonstrated strategic solutions to a variety of challenges during play.

Despite Balogun’s standout scoring and Pulisic’s strong performance, the midfield’s balance and versatility were widely regarded as the engine behind the team’s success in the match. This new iteration of the MMA unit appears to bring both continuity and growth compared to the last World Cup lineup, a promising sign for the U.S. as they seek to build momentum in the tournament.