SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Pochettino’s Ambition
Manager Mauricio Pochettino is aiming high, likening his team’s prospects to reaching for the moon, which feels increasingly within reach.
It’s been 24 years since a similar triumphant moment, when America defeated Mexico and Bosnia and Herzegovina fell to the U.S. on a sunny Wednesday in Santa Clara. Oh, and there was some music in the air too.
The U.S. team had to wait through a long 26 minutes following Folarin Balogun’s red card during their World Cup finals victory. But honestly, it was worth that wait.
After nearly five years without a win, they finally triumphed over Bosnia, breaking a tough streak against UEFA teams. It’s a significant milestone—especially considering the struggles American soccer has in facing those major players. The real challenge awaits next week in Seattle against Belgium, a team that has historically given the U.S. trouble, notably in Brazil about a dozen years ago.
Balogun received a red card in the 64th minute for an incident with Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle, a decision which followed a lengthy VAR review. This incident shifted the dynamics of a match the Americans had been controlling, if not completely dominating.
Yet the Bosnians couldn’t capitalize on the advantage. Instead of launching a full-scale attack, they pressured the U.S. to adapt to playing with a shorthanded squad, driving the match into a somewhat physical contest.
Without the red card, things might have tilted in Bosnia’s favor. A challenge from Stepan Radelic on Sergiño Dest outside the penalty area, however, opened the door for the Americans to secure their win.
Malik Tillman, who assisted on Balogun’s earlier goal, had an excellent performance, and he didn’t let that goal slip away. Eighty-two minutes into the clash, he curled in a beautiful free kick, bringing the lead to 2-0.
What was striking was the relative calmness of the game—remarkable given the drama that tends to unfold in knockouts. Much credit is due to Tim Ream, Chris Richards, and the American defense, which had faced skepticism throughout the tournament. Richards excelled in aerial duels, and Matt Freese, not regularly tested, showed strong command over his area.
Yet, it seems Tillman deserves the title of man of the match. His under-the-radar contributions have been vital, helping push the U.S. to the Round of 16, where, interestingly, he has already done better than Germany, his homeland, which chose not to participate this time around.
The first 64 minutes felt completely distinct from the final 26. This U.S. squad, under Pochettino’s guidance, isn’t sitting back; rather, they’re actively searching for opportunities. Balogun, who had already made waves in the World Cup, netted a goal that was controversially called offside and experienced some struggle with Brazilian referee Rafael Kraus. Now, the team will have to move forward without their star against Belgium.
The goal scored by the U.S. marked the earliest they’ve ever found the back of the net in World Cup history, showcasing how formidable Bosnia’s defense was. Coach Sergei Barbares organized his team in a 5-3-2 formation, proving hard to break down.
Pochettino’s message to his players, shared via a video from U.S. Soccer, encouraged them to aspire for greatness.
“Our goal is to touch the moon,” Pochettino stated. “I want to touch the moon.”
Of course, without Balogun, the path forward appears steeper. Yet right now, it feels like the sky might just be the limit.
