USMNT Beat Bosnia 2-0 to Reach the Round of 16

The United States are through. As of July 2, 2026, the USMNT have won their Round of 32 match at the 2026 World Cup, beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. It is only the second time in program history that the U.S. have won a World Cup knockout game. The last time was 2002.

The scoreline says composure (as of July 2, 2026). The context says chaos. Folarin Balogun scored in the 45th minute, then was sent off in the 64th. The USMNT played the final 26 minutes — plus 10 of stoppage time — a man down. Malik Tillman answered with a free kick in the 82nd minute to make it 2-0 and end the contest.

Now comes Belgium in the Round of 16 (as of July 2, 2026). Without Balogun.

The Goals

Balogun opened the scoring in the 45th minute. It was his third goal of the tournament.

Tillman doubled the lead in the 82nd minute with a free kick. With 10 men, that goal was the one that let 68,827 people at Levi's Stadium exhale.

The Red Card

Balogun was dismissed in the 64th minute after a VAR review. The challenge was widely viewed as accidental — he landed on a Bosnian defender's ankle — but the card stood. It changes everything going forward. Balogun's suspension means he will miss the Round of 16 clash against Belgium on July 6 in Seattle. The USMNT will face the Belgians without their leading scorer in the tournament.

How the USMNT Got Here

The USMNT topped Group D, which included Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye. The group stage unfolded across three matches:

The final group match against Türkiye ended 3-2, a loss, but qualification had already been secured, and the lineup was heavily rotated. The result didn't matter. The Round of 32 seeding did.

Pulisic's Return

He had missed the Australia match entirely and played only 32 minutes off the bench against Türkiye due to a re-aggravated injury. Against Bosnia, he lasted until the 88th minute, when he was substituted off alongside Sergiño Dest as Pochettino brought on Sebastian Berhalter and Ricardo Pepi to manage the closing minutes (as of July 2, 2026).

Pulisic's fitness heading into the Belgium match is the next question. He was on the pitch for 80-plus minutes. That is a step forward. Whether it is enough for a full 90 against a Belgian side that will press higher and harder remains to be seen.

The Starting XI

Pochettino's lineup against Bosnia, per U.S. Soccer:

Tim Ream wore the armband. Freese continued in goal — he has logged 1,021 NT minutes over the last 12 months, the most of any player on the roster. Richards and Freeman formed the central defensive partnership, with Freeman contributing 840 NT minutes and 3 goals in the same window (as of July 2, 2026).

What the Belgium Match Looks Like

Balogun is out. That is the headline. He has 4 NT goals in the last 12 months and was the team's primary striker throughout the tournament.

The options to replace him are clear from the squad:

Pepi is the likeliest direct replacement. Wright offers a different profile. Either way, the USMNT will need someone to carry the attacking load in Seattle on July 6.

The Bigger Picture

This win matters beyond the bracket. The USMNT had not won a World Cup knockout match in 24 years. They had not beaten a European opponent at a World Cup since the 2002 run. Pochettino's team did both in a single night, and did it with 10 men for the final stretch.

The 68,827 fans at Levi's Stadium saw a side that did not buckle after losing its striker to a red card. Bosnia pressed hard in 10 minutes of stoppage time. The equalizer never came (as of July 2, 2026).

The tournament continues.

When does the USMNT play Belgium in the Round of 16?

The USMNT face Belgium on July 6 in Seattle. The match will be played at Lumen Field, the same venue where the U.S. hosted Australia during the group stage.

Who scored for the USMNT against Bosnia?

Folarin Balogun scored in the 45th minute, his third goal of the tournament. Malik Tillman added the second in the 82nd minute from a free kick.

Why will Balogun miss the Belgium match?

Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute after a VAR review for a challenge on a Bosnian defender. The red card carries an automatic suspension for the next match.

How did Christian Pulisic perform on his return?

Pulisic started for the first time since the Paraguay group opener, having dealt with a re-aggravated injury that limited him in the previous two matches. He played until the 88th minute before being substituted.

What is the USMNT's World Cup knockout record?

The 2-0 win over Bosnia was only the second World Cup knockout victory in USMNT history. The previous one came in 2002, 24 years ago (as of July 2, 2026).

See the projected squad
Open the country tracker →