USMNT Proves It Can Play…

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The match lacked artistry, fluidity, and the creative flair that usually defines captivating soccer. Truthfully, it was far from pretty, yet remarkably beautiful.

“It wasn’t a perfect day, but it was our day,” said defender Chris Richards.

Indeed, the USMNT’s 2-0 victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday secured their advancement to the round of 16, a baseline expectation for this World Cup. To progress further and capture the nation’s heart while aiming for a quarterfinal berth for the second time in history, they will need to embrace the grit displayed in this match. Knockout soccer demands it.

“You do what you need to do to get a result,” Christian Pulisic stated after the game.

This is exactly what the U.S. team accomplished. In their initial tournament match against Paraguay, they strutted their stuff with elegant and captivating soccer, a style that left midfielder Weston McKennie feeling as if they were “just playing pickup.”

In contrast, this performance against a tough Bosnia-Herzegovina side showcased a different kind of bravery. Bosnian defenders were aggressive, challenging every American player who attempted to advance, including fullback Sergiño Dest and Pulisic. Bosnia’s Edin Dzeko even sent Tyler Adams sprawling. Prior to scoring and receiving a controversial red card in the 64th minute, striker Folarin Balogun was often held and obstructed.

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s tactics were effective as well. While the U.S. maintained possession and made numerous passes, their precision faltered. They struggled with long balls, and some simpler connections fell short. Malik Tillman, who netted a beautiful free kick late in the game to secure the win, encountered a tumultuous first half where he frequently seemed out of sync.

The fact that the U.S. navigated through these challenges, adjusting and becoming a bit chippy as necessary while scoring two goals, delighted Pochettino.

“It’s not just about the victory,” he expressed with a smile. “It’s about how we earned it, understanding the moments—when to play, when to fight, when to compete, and how to intelligently defend. The team’s maturity is remarkable.”

The response to Balogun’s red card mirrored this sentiment. With a 1-0 lead, that referee decision—strongly contested by Pochettino—could have shifted the match’s momentum.

It was easy to envision Bosnia-Herzegovina rallying, leveling the match, and pushing it into extra time. Defending a lead with ten men for over half an hour can break even the most seasoned teams.

However, the U.S. displayed remarkable resilience. Rather than expressing anger towards the referee or frustration at the circumstances, the players took a pragmatic approach during the hydration break following Balogun’s exit.

“We realized that to become a strong team, we have to dig deep in situations like this,” Pulisic noted. “We knew we had to defend, which was fine, while picking our moments to attack. I believe we did well in that regard.”

McKennie noted that the team thrived on the challenge.

“There’s a rush of adrenaline when you go down to ten men,” he said. “It’s like, ‘Wow, if we can win this and keep them scoreless, that’s monumental.’ Everyone was focused, tackling hard, ensuring we maintained our structure as we aimed to secure the lead. It would have been easy to use frustration as an excuse if they scored, but that’s not the type of team we are.”

So, what kind of team is this USMNT? A team capable of winning in varied styles. A team that draws energy from its home crowd. A team confident in its ability—despite losing Balogun to suspension—to conquer Belgium on Monday in Seattle in whatever manner it takes.

Tactical adjustments are certain to follow; losing their top scorer necessitates adaptations. Yet Pochettino has proven he can train his players for diverse situations, and the team members have shown they are comfortable regardless of the challenges they face.

Play beautifully? Absolutely. Play defensively? Not an issue.

This fundamental truth emerged from the match and fuels the players’ resolve as they travel back to Seattle.

“We enter this tournament believing we can achieve great things and beat anyone,” Pulisic asserted. “There’s excitement—yet we have more to accomplish.”