Pulisic returns to USMNT lineup vs Bosnia in knockout play
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- Christian Pulisic was named to the USMNT starting XI for Wednesday's World Cup round-of-32 clash vs Bosnia-Herzegovina, recovering from a left calf injury that had sidelined him since the opener; he told reporters Tuesday he is "definitely ready to go."
- Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards, and Antonee Robinson also return to the lineup after being held out vs Türkiye so coach Pochettino could avoid yellow-card suspensions.
- Coach Mauricio Pochettino restored the same lineup that beat Paraguay 4-1 in the June 12 tournament opener.
- Mark McKenzie (foot) and Cristian Roldan (quad) are the only USMNT players unavailable due to injury.
- The U.S. is seeking its second-ever World Cup knockout win and first since 2002; Wednesday's winner faces Belgium in the round of 16 Monday in Seattle.
Why it matters: Pochettino rolls out his strongest XI for the knockout phase with Pulisic back from injury and four regulars cleared of suspension danger — replicating the 4-1-opening lineup the U.S. is betting ends a knockout-round drought stretching to 2002, with a Monday date against Belgium in Seattle on the line.
