In its history-making win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, the United States Men’s National team displayed patience, maturity, and awareness to reach the Round of 16.
The patient was evident in the first five minutes, as Bosnia and Herzegovina started on the front foot despite its 4-4-2 formation. Any doubts about whether the visitors would sit in the lower positions and absorb pressure were quickly dispelled. A nifty build-up between Edin Dezko and Ermedin Demirovic forced USA keeper Matt Freese into a save, which led to a corner kick. Freese had to make a second consecutive.
PATIENCE TO SETTLE INTO THE GAME
Rather than press the issue and become stretched between the midblock and backline, the U.S. stayed resolute and showed belief in head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s plan to use speed and width in attack. The effort saw the U.S. dominate possession but was unable to find a path through the Bosnia-Herzegovina defense, which had retreated to its defensive half of the field. Despite the roadblocks, central U.S. midfielders Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman continued to feed the ball wide to Sergino Dest and Christian Pulisic, who were creating room for Florin Balogun. The Star and Stripes’ patience paid off in the 45th minute. Tillman’s intended pass through the Bosnia-Herzegovina goalmouth deflected off two defenders and into the path of Balogun, who blasted the ball into the back of the goal for the 1-0 lead.
IMMEDIATE SUBS TO CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF THE GAME
Minutes into the second half, Bosnia-Herzegovina head coach Sergej Barbarez made three quick subs. In midfield, Esmir Bajraktarevic replaced Armin Gigovic, Benjamin Tahirovic replaced Ivna Sunjic, and up front, Edin Dzeko made way for Ermin Mahmic. The changes energized the B&H attack but did not move the needle, as the U.S. remained steadfast and resolute, continuing to dominate possession.
GAME-CHANGING DECISION
The complexion of the game changed in the 61st minute. Balogun was whistled for a foul on Muharemovic by referee Raphael Claus, who kept both cards in his pocket. Claus was instructed to review the play. After his VAR review, the Referee issued a red card to Balogun. Rather than argue the call, Balogun accepted the decision and walked off the field as his teammate consoled him. Down to 10 men, the U.S. stayed focused, patient, and determined to see the game out. With the man advantage and time winding down, Barbarez made his last two allocated subs in the 75th minute. Up front, Sead Kolasinac made way for Hari Tabakovic, and cornerback Amar Memic replaced Nikola Katic.
PATIENCE AND ABILITY TO CREATE A GOAL
The U.S. showed its maturity in the 76th minute. A nifty play between McKennie and Tillman saw the ball laid off to Pulisic, who scored. Pulisic was deemed offside, and the goal was disallowed. In the 77th minute, Pulisic earned a free kick, and Barbarez protested with the ball in his hand, resulting in a yellow card against the Bosnia-Herzegovina coach. In the 80th minute, Dest was fouled at the top of the B&H goal box. Malik Tillman calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.
SMART DECISIONS TO END THE GAME
Bosnia-Herzegovina threw caution to the wind and pressed forward desperately, seeking a goal to start the comeback. In the 87th minute, Pochettino brought in some fresh legs to the middle of the pitch. Sebastina Berhalter replaced Dest, and Pulisic made way for Ricardo Pepi. The last ten minutes of the game saw smart, disciplined defending by the U.S., which saw the game out and secured the win.
POST GAME NOTES
Additional Notes:
- Folarin Balogun became the third player to score three or more goals in a single edition of a FIFA World Cup for the USA after Bert Patenaude (four in 1930) and Landon Donovan (three in 2010).
- With three this tournament, Balogun is now tied for the USMNT’s fourth place all-time in World Cup goals with Brian McBride, in just three matches played.
- The USA has scored seven goals before halftime in this FIFA World Cup, more than any other team.
- Malik Tillman scored his first goal at a FIFA World Cup. He’s the second USA player on record (since 1966) to score a direct free-kick goal in the FIFA World Cup after Eric Wynalda vs. Switzerland in 1994.
- Matt Freese earned his second World Cup clean sheet against Bosnia and Herzegovina, moving him into a three-way tie with Jimmy Douglas and Matt Turner for most all-time by a USMNT goalkeeper.
- This was the USA’s third win at FIFA World Cup 2026, the most in a single edition of the competition.
- Mauricio Pochettino has the most wins all-time at the FIFA World Cup for a USMNT manager.
- Mark McKenzie and Cristian Roldan were unavailable for the match.
– U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT –
Match: United States Men’s National Team vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Date: July 1, 2026
Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Knockout Stage – Round of 32
Venue: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.
Attendance: 68,827
Kickoff: 5 p.m. PT
Weather: 71 degrees, sunny
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| BIH | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| USA – Folarin Balogun | 45th minute |
| USA – Malik Tillman | 82 |
Lineups:
USA: 24-Matt Freese; 16-Alex Freeman, 3-Chris Richards 13-Tim Ream (Capt.), 5-Antonee Robinson; 4-Tyler Adams, 17-Malik Tillman, 2-Sergiño Dest (14-Sebastian Berhalter, 87), 8-Weston McKennie (7-Gio Reyna, 90+5), 10-Christian Pulisic (9-Ricardo Pepi, 88); 20-Folarin Balogun
Substitutes not used: 1-Matt Turner, 25-Chris Brady, 6-Auston Trusty, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 12-Miles Robinson, 18-Max Arfsten, 19-Haji Wright, 21-Tim Weah, 23-Joe Scally, 26-Alex Zendejas
Head Coach: Mauricio Pochettino
BIH: 1-Nikola Vasilj; 18-Nikola Katic (15-Amar Memić, 75), 21-Stjepan Radeljić, 4-Tarik Muharemovic; 7- Amar Dedic, 8-Armina Gigovic (20-Esmir Bajraktarevic, 51), 14-Ivan Šunjić (6-Benjamin Tahirovic, 14), 5-Sead Kolasinac (23-Haris Tabaković, 75), 19-Kerim Alajbegovic; 11- Edin Džeko (Capt.) (26-Ermin Mahmić, 51), 10-Ermedin Demirović
Substitutes not used: 12-Mladen Jurkas, 22-Martin Zlomislić; 2-Nihad Mujakic, 3-Dennis Hadzikadunic, 9-Samed Baždar, 13- Ivan Bašić, 16-Amir Hadžiahmetović, 17-Dzenis Burnic, 25-Jovo Lukic
Head Coach: Sergej Barbarez
Stats Summary: USA / BIH
Shots: 8 / 10
Shots on Goal: 2 / 3
Saves: 3 / 0
Corner Kicks: 4 / 3
Fouls: 7 / 13
Offsides: 3 / 0
Misconduct Summary
| USA – Folarin Balogun (Ejection) | 64th minute | |
| BIH – Stjepan Radeljic (Caution) | 80 | |
Officials:
Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)
Assistant 1: Danilo Mannis (BRA)
Assistant 2: Rodrigo Figueiredo (BRA)
Fourth Official: Dario Herrera (ARG)
VAR 1: Juan Soto (VEN)
VAR 2: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
VAR 3: Jerome Brisard (FRA)
Michelob Ultra Superior Man of the Match: Malik Tillman
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