Folarin Balogun scored and was later sent off during his side’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo: Xinhua
SAN FRANCISCO, CA- Last night, the nation watched as the US national team defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0, to advance to the round of 16 in World Cup play. For the U.S, it is their second shutout victory in the tournament, setting them up to play Belgium on Monday, July 6.
The USA came into this round of 32 matchup with a different level of expectation from tournaments past. They were expected to win, not just stick around and pull out a gutty victory as an underdog, but to win.
From the opening kickoff, the USA applied constant pressure, maintaining possession and taking the reins of the game, yet could not find the back of the net to open the scoring, as they had in each of the group-stage games.
The U.S thought they had pulled ahead on a Folarin Balogun goal at the 30’ minute mark, but it was rescinded due to a VAR review (a theme through the contest). This one made the call of offside, taking away the goal, and keeping the score knotted at 0-0.
The thoughts of “what if” did not last long, as 14 minutes later, the U.S was able to find the striker once again in the middle of the pitch- this time onside- and watched as Balogun unloaded a left-foot strike to the back of the net, beating the three defenders around him for the lead-taking goal.
The first half of physical play concluded, 1-0 in favor of the home country. The official seemingly swallowed his whistle and allowed the two squads to battle it out on the pitch- or so we thought.
The second half began with the same tenacity with which the first ended. Rough plays, kicks to shins, embellishments (per the sport of soccer), and many incidents of Team USA captain Christian Pulisic being pulled to the ground once he passed his initial defender.
That was until things went from hard-nosed to rough. Lots of play-on and possible fouls were looked away, now were called, and in the 60th minute of the match, VAR called in its second review against Balogun, this time on a possible red card.
A red card spelled trouble not only for this match but also for the ensuing contest against Belgium should the U.S advance. After no card was shown on the field, the VAR review deemed that Balogun had committed a serious enough foul to warrant a red.
The U.S had to fight the remainder of the game a player down and now miss their leading goal scorer for the next round. First, they had to get there. A scrappy Bosnian-Herzegovina squad had a man advantage and was looking to halt the stars and stripes from advancing.
Almost immediately, the opposition went on the offensive, shifting the momentum of the match and forcing the U.S to play a defensive-minded approach, clearing the ball and not getting too far out of position.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese stepped up in the absence of a defender. He recorded a clean sheet and directed traffic all night long to keep the U.S on top.
Late in the match, after injuries, rough play, another VAR review on a Pulisic goal, a yellow card was (Finally) called on the Bosnia and Herzegovina team, with a hold near the box. Setting up Malik Freeman with the U.S.’s best chance to put this game on ice.
Freeman sent a strike above the front wall and nestled the kick into the left bar of the post. Americans everywhere let out a yell that filled Levi Stadium.
2-0 U.S. 10 minutes remained.
After the 90 minutes, 10 additional minutes were added to the clock due to the injuries, all reviews, and other stoppages. The U.S had 10 minutes to finish the game and successfully played keep-away. Dodging the defense and advancing into the next round.
In true American fashion, the U.S battled. Down a man, they pushed through for over half an hour or game time, not only to secure the shutout but to prove they earned their spot against Belgium.
The U.S now looks to replace the production of Balogun, no short task. The match against Belgium gives viewers a rematch of the 2014 round of 16 match, where the U.S fell 2-1.
Against Bosnia-Herzegovina, the U.S. demonstrated the resilience, defensive discipline, and depth needed to compete on the world stage. If that same fighting spirit carries over into the next round, the United States will have an opportunity to rewrite the ending of its 2014 meeting with Belgium and continue its march toward a deep World Cup run.
