USMNT Faces Challenge After Key Victory

The VAR’s intervention on Wednesday had a significant impact on one of the most crucial outcomes in U.S. Men’s National Team history…

The USMNT secured a win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, allowing them to progress to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup. However, they suffered a setback when standout striker Folarin Balogun received a red card in the 64th minute during the match against Belgium. Just prior to halftime, Balogun scored the decisive goal, solidifying his status as one of the best players for the USMNT in the tournament.

There will be ongoing debates about whether the VAR decision was justified and whether it should have been utilized, but ultimately, the situation remains unchanged. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has some adjustments to make if they hope to progress further.

With his impressive three victories in the World Cup, Pochettino has already established himself as the most successful manager in USMNT history. Still, he could capitalize even more in the next round. He has various options available, but how should the USMNT position itself against Belgium?

Currently, options on the bench to fill Balogun’s role are limited, as he’s been a key player, netting three goals in three matches and acting as a focal point in various game situations.

Other top forwards include:

• Pepi, who has had significantly more playing time (185 minutes) after starting in a meaningless match against Turkiye.
• Wright, who has excelled at Coventry City, but has logged only one minute as a substitute against Australia.

Reviewing last season’s performance statistics reveals:

• Pepi contributed 20 goals over 31 games (19 goals, 1 assist) across the Eredivisie and Champions League.
• Wright contributed 18 goals in 40 games (17 goals, 1 assist) in the EFL Championship.

Though Wright has had opportunities in the past, Pochettino seems to favor Pepi in this tournament. If he intends to maintain a similar tactical approach, both Pepi and Wright may see considerable playing time against Belgium. Whoever starts will need to exert themselves as Balogun did, potentially giving Wright an edge.

However, choosing either player will leave the rest of the team unchanged.

The USMNT’s dynamism often stems from Christian Pulisic and Sergiño Dest’s presence on the wings, along with Anthony Robinson and Alex Freeman overlapping fluidly.

Pochettino might push Pulisic further up, relying on his skill to maintain an attacking presence in the box and link plays effectively. If a wide player replaces Pulisic, possible candidates include:

• Alejandro Zendejas
• Timothy Weah
• Gio Reyna

Alternatively, if Pochettino seeks another dynamic player on the left flank, Max Alfsten could be an option, though he hasn’t appeared at all thus far.

Reyna has played more frequently in these scenarios and could impact the game by cutting in with his right foot. While he possesses technical versatility, his speed might not stretch the defensive line as effectively as Weah’s. Having Pulisic up front brings back some of Balogun’s game-changing capabilities, but shifting the flanks might disrupt overall build-up play. A strategic consideration could be to manage Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard early on.

If Pochettino believes one of his wide players can contribute defensively, Pulisic could indeed take that position.

Can Malik Tillman step up?

The midfielder from Leverkusen tends to excel in playmaking, boasting superior ball skills compared to Balogun, but he lacks the assertiveness in the penalty box that other forwards possess. The USMNT needs to maximize possession, and having a playmaker could help Pulisic and Dest become more involved in offensive maneuvers.

That said, what’s the natural shift in midfield? Reyna might fill a role behind Tillman, though this combination hasn’t been tested under Pochettino. Weston McKennie could also advance, given his strong World Cup showing. He’s adept at late runs into the box while Tillman orchestrates play. If this route is taken, Sebastian Berhalter might switch to the wing, creating a dual pivot with Tyler Adams.

Berhalter, skilled at set pieces, might not provide depth if most midfielders are used too early.

Pochettino is likely to maintain the majority of his setup, opting for either Pepi or Wright up front. Regardless of who starts, both need to hit the ground running. Belgium stands as the toughest opponent in this tournament, with a definite edge in individual talent across various positions, which amplifies the importance of Pochettino’s selections.

The prospect of a lively front line with Reyna, Tillman, Pulisic, and Dest is thrilling, but mere excitement won’t help the USMNT overcome Belgium. Their opponents demonstrated resilience, rallying from a 2-0 deficit against Senegal to secure qualification despite a lackluster performance.

Pochettino must weigh potential risks; Rudy Garcia made bold decisions by substituting key players like Kevin De Bruyne early against Senegal. Ultimately, whatever choice Pochettino makes could prove pivotal for the USMNT moving forward in the knockout stages.