Contents
By Graham Ruthven
American dream
So far, so good for the US men’s national team. Comfortable wins over Paraguay and Australia gave Mauricio Pochettino the luxury of resting all but one (Weston McKennie) of his first-choice players for the dead rubber game against Türkiye in the belief that would help his team in the knockout rounds.
Now that the knockout rounds are here, the USA must keep up the energy and intensity they have shown to this point. That was key to Pochettino’s team making light work of Paraguay in their opening fixture and it will be key to their chances of breaking down Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bosnia have never kept a clean sheet in any of their six World Cup matches to date, but the USA have lost seven of the eight knockout matches they have ever played in the World Cup. Indeed, the last knockout match they won at this level was all the way back in 2002.
The pressure is on the USA to make the round of 16. For Bosnia, though, this is something of a free hit having exceeded expectations to make it this far. This could make them dangerous opponents.
Key players
Christian Pulisic has played just 78 minutes at this World Cup so far due to injury, but could return to the USA lineup in time to face Bosnia. The AC Milan winger’s direct running and one-v-one threat could be crucial to the co-hosts breaking down their opponents.
McKennie has enjoyed a positive World Cup to date, giving the USA some creativity down the right side of the pitch where he can dovetail with Sergiño Dest as the high and wide player in Pochettino’s fluid system.
Folarin Balogun, however, is the USA’s primary attacking threat and will lead the line after being rested for the final group game against Türkiye. The Monaco forward offers potency in quick transition and is capable of creating his own shot in the box.
At the age of 40, Edin Džeko remains Bosnia and Herzegovina’s biggest physical threat in the penalty area with Ermedin Demirović expected to start alongside the former Manchester City forward as a second striker.
Esmir Bajraktarević will come up against the country of his birth with the Wisconsin-born winger a threat in the wide areas. RB Salzburg youngster Kerim Alajbegović is also worth keeping an eye on.
Team news
Pulisic’s calf injury seems to have cleared up, making it likely he will start on the left wing for the USA. While the co-hosts made do without the 27-year-old against Australia and Turkey, he remains their biggest attacking difference-maker.
Cristian Roldan will miss the match while Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty are also doubts for the round of 32 encounter in San Francisco.
Amar Dedić is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s only injury concern, otherwise the European qualifiers have a fully fit and available squad to choose from for the meeting with the co-hosts.
Prediction
The host nation should enough to edge past the European outsiders: USA 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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