USA faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in knockout stage
The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) is set to compete against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a critical knockout match. The game will take place on Wednesday evening at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in California. This fixture marks the beginning of the knockout rounds for the USMNT, following their progression from the group stage.
The USMNT secured their spot in the knockout stage after a strong performance in their group, including a victory against Australia on June 19. Despite a subsequent defeat to Turkey in their final group-stage match, the team’s advancement in the tournament was not affected. The focus now shifts to the challenges of knockout soccer, a stage where the team has faced difficulties in the past.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered a resilient opponent, having demonstrated their toughness throughout the tournament. While their attacking quality has been questioned, their ability to be difficult to beat makes them a significant challenge for the USMNT. The American side will need to deliver their best performance to advance to the Round of 16.
Pulisic’s availability a key factor
A major point of discussion leading up to the match is the fitness and availability of key player Christian Pulisic. The AC Milan star’s minutes have been carefully managed in recent months, as he has not completed a full 90-minute match since March 15. This careful management has been a consistent strategy for both the USMNT and AC Milan.
Despite concerns regarding his long-term fitness, there is encouraging news from Mauricio Pochettino’s camp. Pulisic has confirmed his availability for the Round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He stated that he felt good in the last game against Turkey and is ready for the upcoming match.
Pulisic made his return to action in the USMNT’s 3-2 loss to Turkey, coming off the bench to play 33 minutes. This appearance followed an earlier calf injury sustained after playing 45 minutes in the team’s 4-1 victory over Paraguay. He subsequently missed the 2-0 win over Australia but returned after a full week of training in California.
His presence is anticipated to be a major influence on the United States‘ chances of securing a place in the Round of 16. Former USMNT star Geoff Cameron emphasized Pulisic’s importance, noting that he would be a significant factor for the USA in the match. Pulisic’s ability to return to the starting lineup, if chosen by the head coach, could be crucial for the team’s performance.
Managing Pulisic’s workload has been an ongoing challenge. He has played a full game only three times for AC Milan and six times overall since last August, with just one of those appearances for the United States. His availability for Wednesday’s match is a positive development for the team as they aim to progress further in the tournament.
The USMNT’s journey in the tournament has seen them focus on squad management and maintaining player fitness since their win against Australia on June 19.
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Source: goal.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
