USMNT's multifaceted win vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina bodes well for World Cup hopes - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Wednesday's round-of-32 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup presented the rarest of moments for the U.S. men's national team.

The Americans were playing at home, in front of a boisterous crowd on a sun-splashed day, and they were the favorite to advance — something that has never happened in the program's history. The U.S. took advantage, but in a most unexpected manner. The home side recorded a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina thanks to goals by Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman, but also had to survive the last 36 minutes including stoppage time playing with 10 men after Balogun was sent off.

It was the kind of match that showed distinct sides from the USMNT, as well as the ability to manage wildly different challenges. The first half highlighted the effectiveness of the U.S. press, being on the front foot and the ability to convert half chances. That is the style implemented by manager Mauricio Pochettino that has enchanted fans, and thanks to Balogun's 45th-minute goal, the U.S. seemed to be in control of the match as the second half went on.

But Balogun's red card changed everything, at which point the U.S. relied on the kind of tough defending that defined the national team for decades. As Bosnia pushed for an equalizer, the U.S. had some wobbly moments but made the plays it needed to make.

«I think [the reaction to the red card] was about now we need to show that we are a team, that we are united, and that was the moment to show to everyone and to show ourselves that it's not only empty words when we say that we are a family,» Pochettino said.

«And I think the team showed the qualities, the capacity to compete, to fight for each other. Yes, I think so proud, so proud about the players. They