Pochettino Calls Bosnia Match 'the Final' for USMNT
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- Mauricio Pochettino called Wednesday's round-of-32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina "the final of the World Cup," stressing the team "doesn't have another opportunity if we fail"
- USMNT went 2-1 in the group stage, beating Paraguay and Australia before falling to Türkiye while playing a heavily rotated lineup
- Bosnia-Herzegovina finished third in Group B behind Switzerland and Canada, and Pochettino praised its physicality, aggression, and ability to change formations midgame
- Presumed tournament heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands have already been eliminated from the World Cup, altering the bracket
- Auston Trusty trained with the full squad for the first time this week and could be available off the bench, while Cristian Roldan (quad) and Mark McKenzie (foot irritation) are likely out
- Christian Pulisic is fit and ready to go, per a source subheadline
- The match is at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, with the U.S. set to benefit from home support as a tournament co-host
Why it matters: With Germany and the Netherlands already eliminated, the USMNT's path looks more navigable — but Pochettino's thin defense (Roldan and McKenzie likely out, Trusty only just returning) faces a Bosnia-Herzegovina side capable of shifting formations midgame, meaning the U.S. must execute near-perfectly just to reach the round of 16.
