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The United States men's national soccer team is headed to the round of 16, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday night in Santa Clara, California.
It is only the second time in Team USA history that they have won in the round of 16. The only other one was in 2002, when they beat Mexico 2-0 in the round of 16.
Now, the USMNT will return to Seattle to face Belgium, which overcame a 2-0 deficit against Senegal in the second half to win in overtime, in the round of 16.
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Folarin Balogun of the United States celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Typically, when the USMNT enters the World Cup knockout stage, they are considered the underdogs, hoping to be brave to force an upset. This time, in an expanded tournament format that begins with the round of 32, the country at home was the big favorite.
His play showed why, even in the face of adversity in the second half.
It was an inauspicious start for the USMNT after Bosnia and Herzegovina earned a pair of corner kicks, and goalkeeper Matt Freese, who hasn't really been challenged much in this World Cup, had to fight to save one that was destined for the back of the net if he didn't punch it away.
USA WORLD CUP STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN RECEIVES CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD DURING ROUND 32 MATCH
From there, however, the USMNT went to work in the first half and controlled the match. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before they scored, and Falorin Balogun, who has had a tremendous tournament in terms of goals, did his job as a striker when he received a pass off a turnover and put it in the back of the net in the 29th minute.
However, the sideline referee threw his flag in the air: offside. The video replay showed that Balogun was clearly wrong, and there was not much debate from head coach Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff in this case either.
Folarin Balogun of the United States scores his team's first goal against Nikola Vasilj #1 of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Balogun had another chance in injury time and in this case he was in and still deadly.
With the Bosnia and Herzegovina defenders covering him, Balogun turned and launched his left foot towards the ball just inside the opponent's area and slipped between the goalkeeper's legs to score the first goal of the game.
The American crowd went into a frenzy and Balogun celebrated with an ode to LeBron James, doing his trademark step-by-step as his teammates congratulated him on his third World Cup goal.
But a big moment for Bosnia and Herzegovina came in the second half when Balogun received a red card following a VAR review following a foul in which he stepped on a defender's ankle. It was a controversial decision that changed the complexity of the game with the USMNT down to 10 men compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina's 11.
Furthermore, despite the close victory, Balogun will have to miss the round of 16 due to the decision, which is an obvious loss for the United States.
Malik Tillman of the United States celebrates after scoring a free throw during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The red card came in the 64th minute, and the USMNT had to “suffer,” as FOX Sports commentator Stu Holden said during the broadcast, to eke out a one-goal lead victory. Although they had to defend more tenaciously, the USMNT still created scoring opportunities despite their situation.
One was called when Christian Pulisic found the back of the net, but was offside. But Bosnia and Herzegovina's Stjepan Radelijic held off Sergiño Dest just outside the box, forcing the referee to issue a yellow card and giving the USMNT a prime opportunity to pull away in the 80th minute.
Enter Malik Tillman, the German-born son of an American military veteran, who executed the perfect free kick, leaping over the five-man barrier in front of the net and past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
Folarin Balogun (20) of the United States and Christian Pulisic (10) of the United States wait after Balogun received a red card during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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The goal put the United States up 2-0, and the momentum Bosnia and Herzegovina had after Balogun's red card disappeared. They made desperate attempts to get back into the game, but the United States slammed the door to the delight of the sold-out crowd at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and the millions watching at home.
There will be tons of debate about how the United States handles the loss of Balogun in the next round, but the job was done in this match where the home country favorites kept their title hopes alive.
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