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Despite the U.S. men's national team closing out an otherwise dominant World Cup group stage campaign on a disappointing note, the squad has not lost an ounce of confidence in making a deep run through the knockout rounds this summer.
In fact, manager Mauricio Pochettino seemed puzzled that anyone else's confidence might be faltering.
"Right now, nobody is congratulating us for finishing first in an extremely tough group," Pochettino told reporters immediately following the 3–2 defeat to Türkiye in the group stage finale on Thursday. "Making history means winning the World Cup, not just winning three matches."
The game was essentially meaningless, as the USMNT had already secured first place in Group D, while Türkiye had already been eliminated. As a result, Pochettino deployed a heavily rotated lineup, featuring nine new tournament starters. Türkiye may have claimed a consolation victory, but the U.S. came away without injuries to key players or yellow card suspensions—the true win in Pochettino's eyes, ahead of their round of 32 clash with Bosnia & Herzegovina on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, Pochettino will need to undo many of those lineup changes to avoid the same defensive vulnerabilities and lackluster attacking play that made Türkiye's victory feel all but inevitable.
Here, Sports Illustrated predicts the USMNT's starting lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 match against Bosnia.
USMNT Predicted Lineup vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina—Round of 32
Bosnia operated with a 4-4-2 formation throughout the group stage. While the USMNT rotated between different setups during Group D play, Pochettino will likely turn to a 4-2-3-1 on Wednesday, as it would allow the U.S. to dominate Bosnia through the middle of the park and control possession in the central channels.
31-year-old Matt Turner didn't have a disastrous outing in goal against Türkiye; however, it's clear the team functions with greater confidence when Matt Freese is between the posts. Turner also failed to produce a crucial save when his side desperately needed one, and at least one moment of individual brilliance is essential in knockout football. Pochettino will recognize that it's time to restore Freese to the starting eleven.
The fluid and well-coordinated partnership that veteran captain Tim Ream and defensive anchor Chris Richards form at the heart of the backline never felt more vital than when it was completely absent on Thursday, with the pair replaced by backup options Miles Robinson and Mark McKenzie. The formidable duo must return to the starting lineup on Wednesday if Pochettino hopes to prevent Bosnian forwards from roaming freely in the final third the way Turkish star Arda Güler did so effortlessly.
Joe Scally and Auston Trusty served as Pochettino's fullbacks last week, and while Trusty did get on the scoresheet for the U.S.'s opening goal, neither player did enough to secure a starting berth going forward. Both Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman offer far more dynamism on the flanks and maintain better defensive connections with the center backs. The spaces between Trusty and Scally and their respective center backs were repeatedly exploited by Türkiye.
Weston McKennie was the only genuine starter retained in the lineup last week, and despite wearing the captain's armband, he struggled to inspire his teammates and provide the leadership they required. He will be relieved to be reunited in midfield by defensive midfielder and more natural leader Tyler Adams—whose yellow card suspension has now been served—and Malik Tillman.
The most encouraging aspect of the defeat to Türkiye was the return of Christian Pulisic. The American talisman picked up an injury in the World Cup opener against Paraguay, sidelining him for the match against Australia; however, he was fit enough to come on in the second half of the group stage finale. Pulisic looked sharp from the moment he stepped on the pitch, generating three chances in the final third within his first five minutes of action. He is expected to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup this week at left winger and continue causing problems for opposing defenses.
SI answers is our AI answer engine trained on human-created content.
On the opposite flank will be Sergiño Dest, whom Pochettino has consistently deployed in advanced positions this summer despite his natural role as a fullback. Dest's technical ability and trickery should unsettle the Bosnian backline, and his combination play with McKennie—often making runs into central areas while McKennie attacks the wide channels—should place the Balkan side under further pressure in the middle of the park.
Beyond Pulisic, Folarin Balogun is Pochettino's primary attacking threat this summer, and U.S. supporters will be eager to see him back in the starting eleven, particularly following his brace against Paraguay. After an extended period of rest, Balogun will be even more motivated than ever to find the net and firmly re-enter the Golden Boot conversation.