It's been 24 years since the United States won a knockout stage game at a World Cup, and despite needing to finish the match with 10 men due to a red card to Folarin Balogun, the USMNT kept their composure to win 2-0. Balogun scored right before the half, hitting the LeBron James silencer celebration, and it seemed like the USMNT would be off and running, but they'd have to face adversity after a strong start in order to see the match out.
After a VAR review, Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute after a challenge on a Bosnian player but between Sebastian Berhalter and Ricardo Pepi entering to provide balance and the USMNT keeping their attacking midset, it was enough to see the game out as late, Malik Tillman caught Bosnia and Herzegovina keeper Nikola Vasilj cheating on a free kick to give the USMNT a much needed insurance goal.
Christian Pulisic and Sergino Dest weren't at their best, and the USMNT finished with 10, but this is the kind of game where their mentality under Pochettino shows. They never gave up despite adversity, and now they've accomplished something that hasn't been done since 2002 under Bruce Arena, while having the pressure of playing on home soil on them. Now, they'll play in the round of 16 on July 6 at Lumen Field in Seattle, facing a familiar foe in Belgium. Balogun won't be available for that game, forcing a lineup decision for Pochettino, but they did face the Red Devils during the March international break and will be able to use that match to help game plan. But tonight is for celebration because the Red, White and Blue are moving on in the World Cup.
All three host nations are through to the round of 16, and even a red card couldn't stop the United States from advancing, but with Folarin Balogun suspended for their next match, the USMNT will need to continue to overcome adversity.
The United States will need to leave everything out there to close this match out.
That man had ice in his veins as Bosnia and Herzegovina keeper Nikola Vasilj cheated too much and got caught with a peach of a direct free kick. That's just what the doctor ordered!
Keep winding the clock now. While there are measures to decrease time wasting the USMNT have to be able to push the limit as much as they can.
This is a wild call, honestly, as it seemed like a simple challenge from Balogun, but after a VAR review, he'll now be off for the remaining 26 minutes of the game. The United States are already ahead by a goal so they'll need to keep their heads to hold their lead.
He's now being stretched out, but with it being the 60th minute of play, I wouldn't be surprised to see some changes come soon as this game has taken it out of both teams.
It seems like an injury for the Bosnian legend, and they'll respond with three different chances as Wisconsin-born Esmir Bajraktarević enters the match alongside Benjamin Tahirović and Ermin Mahmić. That'll bring a different look.
Off the top of the barl for Balogun after Tyler Adams springs an attack. The USMNT striker could have a hat trick this half with the attacking pressure that they have displayed.
After a Bosnia and Herzegovina turnover, the United States goes the other way, and Folarin Balogun scores after he has been a pest for the entire half. He pulls out the LeBron celly as the vibes are immaculate in Santa Clara right now!
This is another time that the game has gotten too physical, and the United States will have a free kick from a good position. It went to Balogun at the near post but that wasn't enough to test the keeper.
He wasn't able to get back onside, getting caught offside by just a toe, but a goal is coming in this game soon.
We're trading fouls as Alex Freeman is taken down but no cards yet as the USMNT are struggling to break down the defense.
It was a ball across the face of goal from Weston McKennie that Antonee Robinson couldn't turn into a goal. But, on the attacking end, it's good to have your left back in the box this early in the match. The USMNT's best defense is still their attack, and they'll want to play front-foot soccer.
He hasn't been asked to do much during the World Cup so far but Ermedin Demirović had a strong chance from a designed play and then it was followed up by a corner as Freese has now made as many saves (2) as he did during the entire group stage.
Both teams have had chances in the first 10 minutes, but they've also played to a physical battle. It's hard for anyone to get space in the final third, so the United States will need to be clinical to break Bosnia and Herzegovina down.
Within a minute, Bosnia and Herzegovina have a corner kick as the USMNT will be tested from dead-ball situations. They did well defending their first one, but more will be incoming.
45' - Never a doubt as Balogun finds the back of the net and the United States now lead as the first half winds down.
82' - Who needs 11 men? Malik Tillman went direct on a free kick, and the United States got a MASSIVE insurance goal.
The flags are on the field, and it's getting real for the USMNT.
Like facing Australia, it will be impossible to ignore the nerves in the early going of the match, but once the United States are able to settle into their flow and Balogun finds the back of the net, they'll be rolling from there. Bosnia and Herzegovina aren't going to go easily getting a goal back via Dzeko, but that won't be enough as the United States go marching on at the World Cup. Pick: United States 2, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1
That's an impressive comeback
Weston McKennie is having a breakout World Cup, and his teammates recognize that
"I think he's really important for us," defender Sergino Dest said. "He's kind of a box-to-box player. He runs a lot. He helps a lot. He goes into the duels with all his efforts so that's really helpful for the team because that's also something we need. We need balance and I feel like we have a lot of different type of players and he's just a really important player for us."
It was quite a clash with Belgium needing to score twice after the 85th minute of play, then winning on a 120th-minute penalty awarded by VAR but the Red Devils will be awaiting the winner of the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the next round, and it'll surely be a match where the USMNT will want revenge after losing in March but they have to get there first.
During the World Cup, as the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team has made it to the knockout stage of the competition for the first time in their history, they've also picked up their own World Cup anthem. Bosnian band Dubioza Kolektiv's
song "I am From Bosnia, Take Me to America" was originally written 15 years ago under the title "U.S.A." but following a joke during World Cup qualifying, it has become a rallying cry from fans at home and beyond, growing from a song about disillusionment with the American dream into a picture of pride in Bosnian soccer.
Vedran Mujagic, one of their founders and a current bassist in the band, opened up about becoming an overnight sensation and how their song became one of the driving soundtracks behind the team pushing to make history at the World Cup. Check out what it means:
On Wednesday, the United States men's national team will look to do something that they haven't accomplished in 24 years: win a knockout stage game at the World Cup. Facing Bosnia and Herzegovina, the USMNT will have one goal: to win and keep going at the World Cup. Mexico and Canada have already pinned their tickets in the round of 16 after strong performances, and now it's time for the third host nation to join them.
Facing Türkiye, the USMNT got an acceptable loss out of the way at the only time possible, and also were able to see Christian Pulisic return from his calf injury. With Pulisic now fit to start in this match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United States will want something closer to the Paraguay match to ease the nerves that come with knockout-stage soccer.
Scoring in the first 15 minutes in both of their opening wins in the tournament, Mauricio Pochettino's men know how to get off to a fast start, and Bosnia and Herzegovina haven't kept a clean sheet in their last eight matches, so there will be spaces to attack as well. Led by young players in Esmir Bajraktarevic and Kerim Alajbegovic behind the ageless wonder of Eden Dzeko, Bosnia and Herzegovina won't go down without it being a battle, but this is a well-drilled United States side with something to prove in front of their home fans in Santa Clara, and that will go a long way.
The United States will have their lineup for the game set, and there are no changes from their first match against Paraguay as Pulisic is back in just when it matters.
United States XI: Matt Freese, Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest, Folarin Balogun
United States: Matt Freese, Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest, Folarin Balogun
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Nikola Vasilj, Sead Kolasinac, Tarik Muharemovic, Nicola Katic, Amar Dedic, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Kerim Alajbegovic, Ivan Basic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Eden Dzeko, Ermedin Demirovic
Date: Wednesday, July 1 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Levi's Stadium -- Santa Clara, Calif.
TV: FOX (Eng), Telemundo (Spa) | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Odds: United States -263; Draw +400; Bosnia and Herzegovina +650
The knockouts are here, and for most teams they've been a tense affair. Mexico and France are the only teams to get to the round of 16 with relative ease, and the United States will want to follow, although it won't be easy facing Bosnia and Herzegovina with the pressure on. But Christian Pulisic is back and the energy is high as the winner of this game will face one of Belgium or Senegal, who are currently in extra time.
