Santa Clara, Calif.- In the Round of 32, the USMNT defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to the Round of 16.
It’s only the second knockout win for the U.S. at a World Cup, the last one being the famous 2-0 victory over Mexico in 2002. This time, on home soil, Mauricio Pochettino’s side made even more history and set up a revenge match against Belgium.
Pochettino’s starters were back in the lineup with Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, and Folarin Balogun leading the attack. Experienced defenders Tim Ream and Chris Richards were back in.
The U.S. opened the scoring just before halftime with Tillman’s through ball deflecting into the path of Balogun who did the rest.
The Americans went down to ten men in the 64th minute with a harsh red card being shown to Balogun, before Tillman put the game to bed with a wonderful freekick late on. Bosnia and Herzegovina never threatened severely, but the U.S. had to suffer in this Round of 32 match.
Attention now turns to Monday against Belgium in a massive game.
Matt Freese
Freese was back into the starting lineup after resting in the U.S. ‘s last group stage match against Turkiye. He didn’t have much to do, despite being tested by some Bosnian pressure throughout the match. Freese recorded a clean sheet, mirroring the U.S.’s famous 2-0 knockout victory over Mexico in 2002. 8/10
Chris Richards
Richards anchored the back three with Ream and Alex Freeman to his side. He played well and was composed in possession. He defended well and dealt with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s crossing and “route one” approach. A good night. 7/10
Tim Ream
The veteran defender was back into the starting lineup and delivered in the clinical Round of 32 matchup. Ream was key in picking out dangerous passes from Bosnia and Herzegovina and did well to progress play forward. A solid defensive performance. 7/10
Alex Freeman
A solid performance from Freeman. Although not quite like his match against Australia, he was active going forward and did well to progress. He got the ball forward and defended out wide strongly. He’ll be a key piece against Belgium. 7/10
Sergino Dest
Dest featured out wide again for Pochettino. He was active and dynamic the entire game, and he was brilliant in rotating into the midfield at times combining with McKennie and Balogun. He had a few dangerous opportunities and won the free kick that gave Tillman the opportunity to put the game to bed. 7/10
Weston McKennie
He’s played the most minutes of an outfield player at this World Cup and for good reason. McKennie’s work rate is top-notch and he was key in limiting the Bosnians chances when down to ten men. He’s difficult to mark at times, going wide to combine with Dest, and creating danger himself. 8/10
Tyler Adams
Adams has served as a key piece in Pochettino’s side. He sat slightly deeper against Bosnia and Herzegovina and got into pockets of space well. He was influential in buildup play and strong in defensive tackles. 7/10
Malik Tillman
What a performance from Tillman. It seemed he was everywhere for the full 90 minutes. He got into good pockets of space and was dangerous going forward. With how Bosnia and Herzegovina set up, it was difficult to find space, but Tillman did well to combine and make his own. On the first goal, he slides the ball into Balogun that arrives off a deflection. On the second, he whips the ball wonderfully into the corner off a freekick from about 20 yards out. 9/10 man of the match
Antonee Robinson
Robinson was out on the other flank. He played well, but he could’ve shown more quality in the final ball. Other than that, Robinson defended well and delivered a quality performance. 7/10
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic was back into the starting lineup after getting his fitness up from the calf injury during the group stages. He was bright and dynamic up top, getting out wide and taking on players down the wing. He earned several important fouls late on to take time off the clock. 8/10
Folarin Balogun
A mixed bag for Balogun on the night. He scored a goal, had a goal disallowed, and received a controversial red card. It can’t get much more chaotic than that. On his goal, he did extremely well to slow down, stay composed, and slot the ball into the back of the net. Honestly, it’s a harsh red card, as he isn’t purposely stepping down on the Bosnian defender. It’s an unfortunate loss. 7/10
Sebastian Berhalter, Ricardo Pepi, Gio Reyna subbed on too late to be judged fairly
Mauricio Pochettino
There’s not many U.S. managers that have won a knockout game in the World Cup. Add the fact it’s the third win at the World Cup for the U.S and it was against European competition, suddenly, Pochettino is making history.
He continues to set up and establish a real belief in this American side. They are hard to break down, athletic, pacey, and clinical. This side is starting to look like the real deal and a team who can put together a deep run into this summer’s edition of the World Cup.
Pochettino’s side suffered for nearly 30 minutes after going down a man and still managed to score a second goal. It was a team effort throughout the 90.
Up next is Belgium, a revenge match for the infamous 2014 knockout loss. With Pochettino at the helm and the U.S. belief strong, it’s beginning to look like anything might be possible. 8/10
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Matt Pollard 
Spencer Baldwin 