The U.S. Men's National Team is fielding its strongest available roster for a historic World Cup knockout match. Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has named his starting eleven for the Round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The match is set for July 1, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This marks the first time the USMNT has played a World Cup knockout game on home soil.
The Starting Lineup
Matt Freese starts in goal. The defense includes Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Sergiño Dest, and Antonee Robinson. Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, and Weston McKennie form the midfield. Christian Pulisic, named captain, and Folarin Balogun lead the attack.
Key Return and Strategy
Pulisic returns after being rested in the previous group stage match as a precaution against potential yellow card suspension. Mark McKenzie and Cristian Roldan are the only players absent due to injury.
The team secured its knockout stage berth with a group stage that included a key victory over Paraguay. Bosnia and Herzegovina rank lower than the U.S. in FIFA's world rankings.