LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 12: Giovanni Reyna #7 of the United States celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

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We're onto the third day of the World Cup with eight new teams debuting, but before Brazil makes their debut at MetLife Stadium, it's time to hand out awards for the two games that were played on Friday.

And apologies to Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina, but all three stars for Day 2 are going to players from the United States versus Paraguay matchup in Los Angeles.

Spoiler alert: None of those stars are going to Paraguayan players.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Tim Ream #13 and Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States celebrate their side's first goal, an own goal by Damian Bobadilla #16 of Paraguay (not pictured), during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

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Bronze Star: Alex Freeman (USA)

Chris Richards is the star of the United States backline and Tim Ream is the veteran captain, but Alex Freeman might be the player that can take this American team from dark horse to legitimate threat. Freeman, the son of legendary NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman, is only 21 and just beginning to evolve as a fully-fledged talent. He was everywhere on Friday night, and is proving that he might have one of the highest ceilings of anyone currently on this World Cup roster.

Silver Star: Gio Reyna (USA)

After all the drama from the 2022 World Cup surrounding his family and former U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter, Reyna subbed in for the final 10 minutes of the Paraguay game and showed why he was added to the roster. In the closing seconds of the contest, Reyna scored the goal of the tournament, scoring a nonchalant screamer from the outside of his foot. After a few years in club purgatory due to endless injuries and inconsistent form, this World Cup could reignite his career in Europe.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)

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Gold Star: Folarin Balogun (USA)

Four years ago in Qatar, the U.S struggled to score goals, even if their midfield was above average. This tournament, though, it's all changed with the addition of Monaco's Balogun, who scored twice against Paraguay and might have scored a hat trick if Mauricio Pochettino let him finish out the game. Whereas Reyna might revive his career this summer, Balogun might leave the World Cup with his value doubled with how calm and poised he looked in Los Angeles.

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