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The U.S. men’s national soccer team is headed to the Round of 16, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday night in Santa Clara, California.
This is just the second time in Team USA history that they won in the knockout phase. Their only other came in 2002 when they beat Mexico 2-0 in the round of 16.
Now the USMNT will head back to Seattle to face Belgium, who came back from a 2-0 deficit against Senegal in the second half to win in extra time, in the Round of 16.
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USA’s Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between the USA and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Normally, when the USMNT enter the knockout stages of the World Cup, they are considered underdogs, hoping to be tough to force an upset. This time, in an expanded tournament format that begins with a round of 32, the home country were the overwhelming favourites.
Their play proved why, even in the face of second-half adversity.
It was an inauspicious start for the USMNT after Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a couple of corner kicks and goalkeeper Matt Freese, who hasn’t really been challenged much this World Cup, had to struggle to save one that was destined for the back of the net if he didn’t knock it away.
USA WORLD CUP STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN RECEIVED CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD DURING THE 32ND MATCH
From there, however, the USMNT got going in the first half and controlled the game. It looked like it was only a matter of time before they scored and Falorin Balogun, who has had a terrific tournament in terms of goalscoring, did his striker job when he received a pass on a turnover and put it in the back of the net in the 29th minute.
However, the sideline referee threw his flag in the air – offside. Video replays showed Balogun was clearly off and there was little debate from head coach Mauricio Pochettino and his touchline staff in this instance either.
Folarin Balogun of the United States scores his team’s first goal past Nikola Vasilj #1 of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Balogun got another chance in stoppage time and this time he was onside and still lethal.
With Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defenders draped over him, Balogun turned and swung his left foot into the ball just inside his opponent’s box and it slipped through the keeper’s legs for the game’s first goal.
The American-heavy crowd went wild, and Balogun celebrated with an ode to LeBron James doing his signature move as his teammates congratulated him on his third World Cup goal.
But in the second half, a massive moment occurred in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s favor when Balogun was shown a red card after the VAR review determined it was a foul where he stepped on a defender’s ankle. It was a controversial call that changed the complexity of the game with the USMNT down to 10 men to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 11.
Despite the hard-fought victory, Balogun also has to miss the round of 16 due to the decision, a clear loss for the US
Malik Tillman of the United States celebrates after scoring on a free kick during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The red card came in the 64th minute and the USMNT had to “suffer,” as FOX Sports color commentator Stu Holden said during the broadcast, to pull out a victory with a one-goal lead. While they had to defend with more tenacity, the USMNT still created chances to score despite their situation.
One was called back when Christian Pulisic found the back of the net but was offside. But Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Stjepan Radelijic held down Sergiño Dest just outside the box, forcing the referee to show a yellow card and give the USMNT a Grade-A opportunity to pull away slightly in the 80th minute.
Enter Malik Tillman, the German-born son of an American military veteran, who had the perfect free kick, dipping over the five-man wall in front of the net and past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
USA’s Folarin Balogun (20) and USA’s Christian Pulisic (10) stand ready after Balogun received a red card during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between the USA and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The goal put the USA up 2-0 and the momentum Bosnia and Herzegovina had after Balogun’s red card decision was wiped out. They made desperate attempts to get back into the game, but the USA slammed the door shut to the satisfaction of the sold-out San Francisco Bay Area Stadium crowd and the millions watching at home.
There will be plenty of debate as to how the US handles the loss of Balogun in the next round, but the job was done in this match where the home favorites kept their title hopes alive.
