5 Lessons Learned After the USA's Win Over Bosnia-Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
For the first time since 2002 and for just the second time in history, the U.S. men's national team won a knockout game at the World Cup.
The U.S. topped Bosnia and Herzegovina by a 2–0 scoreline in Santa Clara, booking a spot in the Round of 16 along the way. On Wednesday evening, Folarin Balogun led the way for the United States with a goal in the 45th minute before being sent off with a red card in the second half. Down to 10 men, Malik Tillman's heroic free-kick strike sealed the deal.
What did we learn from the USMNT's latest World Cup win? Let's dive in.
Balogun is Becoming Indispensable and His Absence is Going to be Felt
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Is Folarin Balogun the best U.S. men's striker ever?
Sure, you can argue in favor of others when it comes down to legacy or impact over a sustained period of time. But on pure talent alone, the AS Monaco man continues to show why Mauricio Pochettino has made him his go-to No. 9. Of course, the United States will have to play without Balogun in the Round of 16 against Belgium – more on his red card down below.
But when it came time to give the U.S. a crucial lead before the intermission, the 24-year-old delivered.
After having a goal disallowed for offside earlier in the first half, Balogun took full advantage of another look on goal, pouncing on a loose ball and slamming it into the back of the net:
It wasn't just about the goal for Balogun. He pressed like a madman, leading the line with tenacity. He pulled out one-touch flicks with his back to the goal. He beat defenders with one-v-one dribbling. He used his vision and off-ball movement to find the gaps in Bosnia and Herzegovina's back five, sprinting into the seam between the opposing wingback and wide center back. And, crucially, he picked up good spots close to goal that allowed him to latch onto service from his teammates.
He'll be missed in the next round.
Pulisic Looked Sharp in His Return to the Starting Lineup
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Back in the U.S. lineup for the first time since his calf injury flared up in the team's opener against Paraguay, Christian Pulisic started and played 87minutes on Wednesday.
Though he didn't look like quite the same electric attacking presence that proved so crucial to kickstart the group stage, Pulisic was still a one-v-one threat against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Inside the first five minutes of the match, he turned his defender and created an opportunity for the USMNT to run at the opposing backline. Later in the match, with the U.S. down a man while protecting a one-goal lead, Pulisic drew an important foul and helped his side run down the clock.
That Pulisic is back, improving his fitness, and impacting games is a huge boost for the United States ahead of a big-time meeting with Belgium on Monday in Seattle.
Ream and Richards Were Rock Solid
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Up against the most physical strike partnership the U.S. had faced at the World Cup to date, Chris Richards and Tim Ream acquitted themselves well on Wednesday.
Between legendary No. 9 Edin Dzeko and Stuttgart forward Ermedin Demirovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina weren't short on big bodies to find in their frontline.
And yet, Richards and Ream held firm. Richards, in particular, was essential with his aerial ability, rising to cut off the visitors' attacks before they ever truly got started. Ream, with his savvy positioning, proved influential with a last-ditch block inside Matt Freese's box near the game's dying moments. Though the 38-year-old wasn't perfect, it's clear that Father Time has left the door open for him to help the U.S. dominate in a front-footed system.
When the USMNT's first-choice backline has started a game at this World Cup, the team has allowed just one goal. How's that for a positive trend?
Tillman Provides Memorable Moment and Terrific Midfield Display
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When it comes time to look back on this World Cup, there are three memorable moments that stand out above the rest for the USMNT so far. First? The team's impressive win over Paraguay will go down as one of the most dominant showings in program history. Second? The crowd in Seattle was singing "Take Me Home, Country Roads" after the U.S. took down Australia.
And third? Malik Tillman's game-sealing free kick strike against Bosnia and Herzegovina. With this set-piece wizardry, Tillman clinched the United States' first knockout round win at a men's World Cup since 2002. The moments don't get much bigger than this:
Tillman wasn't just a set piece artist on Wednesday night, either. He was brilliant in his central midfield role in open play, stringing together clever passes and breaking lines with aggressive carries from deep. With his mixture of vision, creativity, and defensive energy, there's little he can't do for the USMNT as the team's No. 8.
And that goal? It will go down as one of the great strikes in U.S. history.
Game vs. Belgium Becomes More Difficult Without Balogun
5 of 5If there's one danger on the United States' otherwise sparkling evening, it's that the team will be without star striker Folarin Balogun for their Round of 16 clash with Belgium.
Balogun was sent off just after the hour mark for a challenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina center back Tarik Muharemovic. In a battle for the ball, the U.S. striker came through Muharemovic's back. Balogun raked his boot down the back of the defender's leg and ended up coming down on the ankle, twisting it. The contact was unquestionable, though the referee didn't initially produce a card.
Only after VAR recommended a check did the referee go to the monitor, examine the play again, and opt to give Balogun a red card. While the USMNT will feel hard done by, given the lack of a call right off the bat, it's hard to ignore the amount of force exerted by Balogun during the challenge. Reasonable people can disagree, but the challenge seems to have warranted a red card.
Life will become more difficult for the United States as it looks ahead to the next round. Mauricio Pochettino will have to land on a replacement for Balogun, one that seems likely to be Ricardo Pepi. Can Pepi deliver in front of the goal? Only time will tell.
