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It was more difficult and nervy than expected, but co-hosts United States managed to get by Bosnia and Herzegovina by a 2-0 score in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32.
In front of a raucous crowd outside San Francisco, Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman scored the goals to see the U.S. advance.
However, it came at a cost as Balogun was sent off for serious foul play, as a VAR review judged he used excessive force and brutality as the Monaco striker landed on the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic. It left the United States a man down for the rest of the match, and it means Balogun will be suspended at least one game further.
Balogun’s opener came just before halftime, as he stuck with a vertical ball from Tillman that bounced off a defender’s foot and into his path with some adjustment. Tillman then struck with nine minutes to go, delivering a brilliant free-kick to seal the win with the U.S. playing a man down.
The USMNT will now advance to play Belgium in the Round of 16, a rematch of their meeting in the 2014 World Cup Round of 16 which the European side won 2-1 in extra-time.
The Sporting News brings you a full list of player ratings for the match, analyzing the USMNT's individual performances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.
LIVE: Recap the USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026 World Cup game
USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina final score
Location: Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)
USA (4-2-3-1, right to left): 24. Freese (GK) — 16. Freeman, 3. Richards, 13. Ream, 5. A. Robinson — 4. Adams, 7. Tillman — 2. Dest (Berhalter, 88'), 8. McKennie, 10. Pulisic (Pepi, 88') — 20. Balogun (red card — 64').
USA substitutes: Turner (GK), Brady (GK), Arfsten, M. Robinson, Trusty, Berhalter, Reyna, Aaronson, Zendejas, Weah, Wright, Pepi.
MORE: Why was Folarin Balogun sent off? | Can the USA appeal the Balogun red card?
USMNT player ratings vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
After rotating the squad in a meaningless match against Turkey to conclude group stage play, Mauricio Pochettino reverted to his regular starting lineup for the knockout stage. Absent from the match were a pair of backups, as Cristian Roldan (calf) and Mark McKenzie (foot) both missed out due to injuries. Auston Trusty shook off an ankle injury to make the bench.
All ratings are on a 10-point scale.
MORE: Why the best advice Clint Dempsey can give the USMNT World Cup team is no advice at all
Starters
Made a strong save 10 minutes in on a lightning-quick Bosnia and Herzegovina counter-attack, and then awkwardly punched away a corner delivery shortly after that prevented an Olimpico.
Distribution was strong, whether it was short possessional play or long hammered deliveries. Covered his goalkeeper well on two close chances for Bosnia late in the game, missing just wide of both posts which Freese seemed to have marked with his dive.
Matt Freese makes the big save for the @USMNT early 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/SGsTkkedLm— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026
RB — Alex Freeman: 8
Positionally strong throughout, as he managed to contribute defensively while also pushing the highest of the three central defenders to get involved in the buildup and recycling of possession.
Began to step up and become more involved defensively once Folarin Balogun received his red card. Blocked a ton of shots as Bosnia and Herzegovina began to press for an equalizer.
RCB — Chris Richards: 7
Put out a number of fires, as he is skilled at doing. His 45 attempted passes through the 90 minutes were well below his usual total, but he logged a whopping 11 defensive contributions by the end of the match, including eight clearances, which were paramount to the clean sheet.
Looked settled in possession, but was shaky when occasionally pressured by Bosnia and Herzegovina attackers. Stepped up expertly on the move that resulted in the goal, touching the ball forward quickly rather than settling possession.
That one-touch from Tim *chef's kiss* 🤌pic.twitter.com/gcvuUDW6FH— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) July 2, 2026
Had a VITAL intervention in the 59th minute as he prevented an extremely dangerous cross from reaching its intended target. He had tracked his runner well through the middle and slid to keep the entry pass from being redirected on goal, nullifying Bosnia and Herzegovina's best attacking opportunity of the opening hour.
MORE: What does success look like for the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup?
LB — Antonee Robinson: 6
Had a good understanding with Christian Pulisic, alternating who would go wide and who would push centrally. Got involved early and often, but struggled in the first 20 minutes with his execution, misjudging the flight of the ball on a few occasions and delivering vertical balls that didn't quite have the right weight.
A foul in the 27th minute coming out of the hydration break brought an end to a promising counter-press moment where it appeared the USMNT had won the ball back.
Improved in the second half, as he was more assured defensively and better with the ball at his feet.
CM — Malik Tillman: 9
High work rate early on in the match, winning fouls in midfield and driving into the attacking third. His excellent pressing on 31 minutes nearly created the opening goal only ruined by an offside call on Folarin Balogun. A beautiful back-heel for Christian Pulisic in the 40th minute to open up a chance. His vertical pass for Balogun created the goal just before halftime, even if it took a it of a fortunate deflection off the feet of the defender.
Worked incredibly hard on and off the ball through the second half, and sealed the victory with a glorious free-kick that doubled the lead with nine minutes left in regulation.
MALIK TILLMAN'S BEAUTIFUL GOAL FOR AMERICA 🦅 pic.twitter.com/9BWkpMpmPD— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026
Wasn't needed as often as usual, with Bosnia and Herzegovina going Route One with their counter-attacks in an attempt to bypass Adams in midfield. Absorbed a dirty crackback block to the head by Edin Dzeko near halftime but managed to grit through it and stay in the game.
Didn't have his usual influence by the end of the game, but marshaled his team well while playing down a man.
RW — Sergino Dest: 5
Not as involved as he usually is through the first half, as he tried to play as more of an off-ball winger. Struggled in his few opportunities on the ball as the first half dragged on. His awkward header for Folarin Balogun right before halftime created a chance, but it could have been better than the ball he played, driving it into the ground which forced Balogun to run onto it.
ACM — Weston McKennie: 7
Extremely active early. Found space brilliantly down the right in the 18th minute and almost created a goal, but probably should have cut the ball back to a trailing midfielder instead of delivering a cross to the face of goal where the goalkeeper could claim it. Brilliant creativity nearly created the opening goal after Tillman won the ball back high up the field, but was unlucky to see the goal wiped off.
MORE: A thin midfield leaves USMNT dangerously exposed in 2026 World Cup journey
LW — Christian Pulisic: 6
Was on his horse early, charging into a dangerous position four minutes into the game, although he probably could have found a pass rather than shooting with the defenders closing him down. His influence began to fade as the first half went on, as Bosnia game-planned to minimize his effect on the match. Had just 22 touches by halftime, but started to crop up a bit more right before the break, including a 40th-minute chance where Malik Tillman's back-heel found him in space.
In the second half, Pulisic had more defensive responsibilities as Bosnia tried to attack the space behind him and Antonee Robinson, and he did so dutifully. Tried to run a pacey move in the 58th minute but the ball got away from him.
Dealt with a ton of physicality all game, and handled it well, even if his performance was largely muted because of it.
FWD — Folarin Balogun: 8
Throughout much of the game, Folarin Balogun was a consistent option for the USMNT in the attack, but he was also a consistent target of physical play from the Bosnia and Herzegovina defensive structure.
Missed badly with a one-time chance in the 15th minute that he should have put on frame. Tried to win a penalty on the half-hour mark, but there wasn't quite enough contact in the chance to warrant a foul. Did exceptionally well to finish a chance in the 31st minute, unlucky to be flagged for offside as the defender stepped up just in the nick of time. Rushed a cross to Christian Pulisic in the 38th minute that wasted a good transitional chance.
Scored a great, scrappy goal just before halftime as he stuck with the ball despite a big deflection, finishing between the legs of the goalkeeper. His adjustment on the moment was exceptional!
THE @USMNT TAKES THE LEAD 🇺🇸
NOW BALOGUN CAN REALLY HIT THE @KingJames SILENCER! pic.twitter.com/4t9LzMjUUG— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026
Had a big missed chance right before halftime as he clipped the ball off the crossbar while crashing at a wide open goal. Was sent off in a truly brainless red card decision that left the USMNT down a man for the final half-hour, but was hardly Balogun's fault.
USMNT substitutes vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
88th min — Ricardo Pepi: N/A
Entered for Christian Pulisic late in the game while protecting a 2-0 lead. Helped usher out the clean sheet.
88th min — Sebastian Berhalter: N/A
Entered for Sergino Dest late in the game.
USMNT coach vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mauricio Pochettino: 8
The USMNT has been the best counter-pressing team at the World Cup through four matches, and that remained true in this match as they managed to repeatedly disrupt Bosnia and Herzegovina pressure.
More importantly, Mauricio Pochettino clearly prepared his team for the physicality that Bosnia and Herzegovina would present in this match, and the players dealt with it brilliantly. They remained calm while matching each and every crunching tackle or off-ball shove with their own brand of needle.
This is a well-coached USA team, end of story. It shows each and every time they step on the field.
Kyle Bonn
Kyle Bonn is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.
Source: Sporting News
