Ian Wright tips USMNT to go far at the World Cup and surprise people after impressive opening win over Paraguay

Folarin Balogun scored twice for the USMNT in their opening game with Paraguay (Image credit: Getty Images)

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The New York Knicks winning their first NBA championship since 1973 on Saturday night can be an advantage to the United States at this World Cup.

The whole of the USA - and especially New York - have been gripped by the NBA finals in which the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 to win their first championship in 53 years.

So much so that sports fans in the Big Apple have not been fully invested in the early days of the World Cup yet.

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But now the football has no distractions, Ian Wright believes Mauricio Pochettino’s side can go all the way to the semi finals.

The USMNT kicked off their home World Cup in style with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles and Wright likes what he sees from the hosts.

Folarin Balogun bagged a brace and Gio Reyna and an own goal wrapped up an impressive opening win.

Ian Wright believes that the USMNT can reach the semi-finals of the World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

“I think America will get to the semi-finals,” Wright exclusively told FourFourTwo.

“The reason I say that is because I think they have got a back four that is solid, they have midfielders who play at a good level and we saw with Flo Balogun that he can score goals.

Speaking at the adidas fan zone in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Wright added: “They have a fan base that is now starting to get it. Once the Knicks game finished, everyone started to say ‘right, let’s focus on the World Cup.’

The USA - but especially New York - have been caught up with the NBA finals where the New York Knicks won their first title for 53 years (Image credit: Getty Images)

“I think that if they can continue with that momentum and play like that with that energy with a striker up front taking chances like that then they can get to the semi-final to meet England.”

The USMNT face Australia next - who themselves got off to a winning start with a 2-0 win over Turkey - and both sides know a win will ensure their place in the last 32.

If the USMNT were to reach the semi-finals then it would represent their best performance at a World Cup, bettering their quarter final appearance in 2002.

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James Andrew is the editor of FourFourTwo, overseeing both the magazine and website. James is an NCTJ qualified journalist and began his career as a news reporter in regional newspapers in 2006 before moving into sport a year later. In 2011 he started a six year stint on the sports desk at the Daily Mail and MailOnline. James was appointed editor of FourFourTwo in December 2019. Across his career James has interviewed the likes of Franco Baresi, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham and Michael Owen. James has been a Fulham season ticket holder since the mid-1990s and enjoys watching them home and away, through promotion and relegation.