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The US won’t go into the knockout stage after a positive result, but I’m unfazed. We didn’t see the Americans’ starting lineup in that game, and I’m positive about the Round of 32 on Wednesday night.
Let’s get to your questions ahead of the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Help us believe the USMNT has what it takes to win a World Cup when they lost to Türkiye.
— Sarah Glad (@saruhhhhh)
The game against Türkiye was what it was. It was a chance to rest some key players and get others running.
I don’t put much into this game. There are some lessons to be learned; conceding a goal at the last minute is never great. The US certainly could have been better defensively as a collective unit. In the end though, it wasn’t our best XI on the field.
USA didn’t get the desired result against Türkiye, but I’m not worried. (Sarah Stier – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
In terms of how you feel coming out of that game, the confidence in this group will grow if we beat Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some of these players have played in the knockout stages before, but they haven’t won, so a win would be huge.
Faith among the fan base will also grow with a win. We have a path forward which is now clearly defined and the approach has to be to take it one game at a time.
But with every positive result and every 90 minutes that this team gathers, it will increase their confidence, as well as the fans’ belief that we can keep reaching these new milestones and achieve something special.
Our depth looks weak. Which reserve players can we count on?
— Jason Haskins (@jasonhaskins)
There are a couple of guys that I feel comfortable with.
First is striker Ricardo Pepi. I thought he had a good display against Australia and some positive moments against Turkey. However, I was more impressed with him in the group against Australia, because it was with the rest of the starting group.
Next up is midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who will likely be called upon to play some meaningful minutes in the middle of the park. It’s a position where we don’t have a lot of depth, so I expect him to step up at some point.
As for the attack on the wing, guys like Tim Weah, Brenden Aaronson or Alex Zendejas all got minutes against Türkiye. Someone will have to play important minutes in the knockout stages.
For defense, I look to Auston Trusty. He did well against Türkiye and of course also took his goal well.
Who has made the biggest difference on the USMNT team and why?
— Ramses Gaytan (@ramses_dtxns_30)
The first name that comes to mind is one who was expected to step up: Weston McKennie. He has been a huge part of this team’s success and has had a positive impact in every game. He is also the only player to start every game so far.
One who has been everything we had hoped for and maybe more is Alex Freeman. To be 21 years old with the small amount of professional football under his belt, to step on this stage and perform in this way has been incredibly encouraging – and long may it continue.
The final name is Folarin Balogun. The concern and question mark from the last World Cup was who our No. 9 was. Flo has proven to be consistently dangerous, whether scoring goals or being a nuisance to create them. I think his overall skill set really raises our ceiling.
Do you think this team in its current form can beat a team like Spain or Portugal?
— Douglas Baker (@douglas_baker1)
Why not?
One of this group’s greatest strengths is how athletic we are. When we are collectively on the same page and working like dogs to put pressure on teams – both in and out of possession – I believe we have a squad that can disrupt opposing teams that build from the back and are focused on shorter passes.
Does that mean it’s guaranteed to happen? No, but when we get to that game, it would be a quarter-final. That means we would have had to win two knockout games to get there.
Favorite US targets so far? Favorite party?
— @imatt13
The best goal we have scored was Balogun’s second against Paraguay, but that was Gio’s final in that game. That goal was a nice cap on that game, which was a great experience.
In terms of my favorite celebration, two goals come to mind.
Gio’s goal prompted the entire team to take to the pitch to celebrate with him, including head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Similarly, Alex Freeman’s goal against Australia was special. The whole team sprinted after him and chased him.
This team is very tight knit and very together. The two celebrations really reflected that.
USA celebrate Gio Reyna’s goal against Paraguay, with Mauricio Pochettino running onto the pitch to join in. (Sarah Stier – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Who is football’s GED?
— @coder
It’s Messi. This is the easiest of the questions.
