The U.S. Men’s National Team is gaining ground with a significant victory over Paraguay. Former U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard highlighted the team’s potential as they prepare to face Australia. The country’s support was evident, with 24.9 million viewers tuning in to watch the match, setting a record for the largest soccer audience in U.S. history.

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In the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match held at Los Angeles Stadium, Folarin Balogun and Gustavo Gomez were notable competitors. Howard found encouragement in the Americans’ performance, noting the chance for even more goals.

“It’s really good to win a game and say, ‘Gosh, I wish we almost had six.'”

Howard praised Folarin Balogun’s two-goal performance, Christian Pulisic’s attacking influence, and a robust defense. He believes these strengths bode well for the tournament.

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Tim Howard reflected on his experience as a goalkeeper for the United States, acknowledging Matt Freese as the frontrunner in the current goalkeeper lineup.

“I think Matt Freese is the goalkeeper. We saw that going into the tournament over the last year.”

As the team anticipates their match against Australia, Howard cautioned about Australia’s physical playstyle. Maintaining rhythm will be crucial for the U.S. team.

Still, Howard is optimistic about the matchup.

“The U.S. team will play the Australians off the park if they match that physicality.”

Howard foresees a high-scoring game, with Balogun celebrating his third goal against Paraguay in the Group D matchup.

Beyond the field, Howard emphasized the importance of fan support and initiatives like Jim Beam’s Home Field Advantage campaign. Building a strong soccer culture around the national team could boost momentum leading to the 2026 World Cup.

“We need to build this culture and hype around this team and help propel them.”

Howard believes that the support and atmosphere from fans will play a critical role in the team’s success.

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Alejandro Avila is a writer based in Southern California.