The United States needed a win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to continue playing in the World Cup. There are no more draws at this stage of the World Cup as games are determined in extra time followed by penalty kicks if the score is still tied.
A loss against Bosnia would have eliminated the United States from the World Cup. Even while playing with 10 men, the United States continued to overpower Bosnia on the way to victory.
The USA’s next game will be in Seattle for the Round of 16 on Monday, July 6, at 8 p.m. Eastern on Fox. The United States will play Belgium with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.
For much of the afternoon, the United States’ potential opponent looked to be Senegal. Yet, Belgium was able to advance after a stunning comeback despite Senegal jumping out to an early 2-0 lead.
Belgium scored two goals in the second half to force extra time. The squad scored the winning goal after a critical penalty was called in stoppage time.
A loss to Bosnia would have meant that the United States’ next World Cup game would not be until 2030, assuming the USA qualifies.
Here’s what you need to know about the United States’ World Cup schedule.
USA vs. Belgium: The USMNT Is Expected to be an Underdog in the Round of 16 Game
The United States were favored against Bosnia, but the team was not taking the opponent lightly. Now, the USMNT is expected to be an underdog in the Round of 16 matchup against Belgium.
The USA lost to Belgium in a March friendly 5-2 in Atlanta but enter the rematch with plenty of momentum.
USA star Christian Pulisic outlined the team’s mindset heading into the knockout stage.
“It’s a World Cup,” Pulisic noted prior to the USA-Bosnia game, per Yahoo Sports. “You’re never going to get the so-called favorite winning every single time. This is soccer. This is the way things go.
“You can defend all game and win in the penalty kick shootout; that’s the beauty of the game. So we have to be ready for whatever’s to come. We don’t think it’s going to be easy, by any means.”
Who Would the USA Play in the Quarterfinals if the United States Is Able to Pull Off an Upset vs. Belgium?
If you are daring to dream as a United States fan, here’s what the United States’ path could look like if the USA is able to make a deep run. The United States would play in the quarterfinals if the team is able to pull off an upset against Belgium in Seattle.
This quarterfinal match would be on July 10, in Los Angeles at 3 p.m. Eastern on Fox. As for the United States’ potential opponent at this stage, Spain, Portugal and Croatia all loom as possible foes in the quarterfinals.
For now, all of the United States’ focus will be on Belgium. The USA will attempt to pull off an upset against Belgium without striker Flo Balogun who received a red card against Bosnia.
As a result, Balogun will miss the USA-Belgium match.
USA’s Next Game: Who Does USMNT Play Next in World Cup Schedule?