What to know about tonight’s USMNT World Cup match

USMNT player ratings vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Live grades for USA in 2026 World Cup knockout game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Having cleared the first hurdle at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with flying colors, Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT now enter the win-or-go-home knockout round as they face Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Round of 32.

The United States has a chance to elevate soccer across the country with a deep run at the World Cup on home soil, hoping to energize the nation and spark an upward trend for the 15th-ranked team in the world as it looks to push into the global football elite.

To do so, it must do what fellow co-hosts Mexico and Canada have done and reach the Round of 16 by passing its first knockout test against a lower-ranked opponent.

The Sporting News brings you a full list of player ratings for the match, analyzing the USMNT's individual performances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.

LIVE:Follow USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina updates from 2026 World Cup game

USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina score

Location: Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA) Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)

USA starting lineup:

USA (4-2-3-1, right to left): 24. Freese (GK), 16. Freeman, 3. Richards, 13. Ream, 5. A. Robinson, 4. Adams, 7. Tillman, 2. Dest, 8. McKennie, 10. Pulisic, 20. Balogun (red card, 64').

USA substitutes: Turner (GK), Brady (GK), Arfsten, M. Robinson, Trusty, Berhalter, Reyna, Aaronson, Zendejas, Weah, Wright, Pepi.

MORE:Player ratings from the USMNT victory over Paraguay

USMNT player ratings vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

After rotating the squad in a meaningless match against Turkey to conclude group stage play, Mauricio Pochettino reverted to his regular starting lineup for the knockout stage. Absent from the match were a pair of backups, as Cristian Roldan (calf) and Mark McKenzie (foot) both missed out due to injuries. Auston Trusty shook off an ankle injury to make the bench.

All ratings are on a 10-point scale.

MORE:Why the best advice Clint Dempsey can give the USMNT World Cup team is no advice at all

Starters

GK, Matt Freese: 7

Made a strong save 10 minutes in on a lightning-quick Bosnia and Herzegovina counter-attack, and then awkwardly punched away a corner delivery shortly after that prevented an Olimpico.

Distribution was strong, whether it was short possessional play or long hammered deliveries.

This section will be updated as the match progresses with analysis of his performance.

Matt Freese makes the big save for the @USMNT early 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/SGsTkkedLm

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026

RB, Alex Freeman: 8

Positionally strong throughout, as he managed to contribute defensively while also pushing the highest of the three central defenders to get involved in the buildup and recycling of possession.

Began to step up and become more involved defensively once Folarin Balogun received his red card. Blocked a ton of shots as Bosnia and Herzegovina began to press for an equalizer.

This section will be updated as the match progresses with analysis of his performance.

RCB, Chris Richards: 7

Put out a number of fires, as he is skilled at doing. Finished the first half 33/34 passing with four defensive contributions.

This section will be updated as the match progresses with analysis of his performance.

LCB, Tim Ream: 7

Looked settled in possession, but was shaky when occasionally pressured by Bosnia and Herzegovina attackers. Stepped up expertly on the move that resulted in the goal, touching the ball forward quickly rather than settling possession.

That one-touch from Tim *chef's kiss* 🤌pic.twitter.com/gcvuUDW6FH

, Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) July 2, 2026

Had a VITAL intervention in the 59th minute as he prevented an extremely dangerous cross from reaching its intended target. He had tracked his runner well through the middle and slid to keep the entry pass from being redirected on goal, nullifying Bosnia and Herzegovina's best attacking opportunity of the opening hour.

This section will be updated as the match progresses with analysis of his performance.

MORE:What does success look like for the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup?

LB, Antonee Robinson: 6

Had a good understanding with Christian Pulisic, alternating who would go wide and who would push centrally. Got involved early and often, but struggled in the first 20 minutes with his execution, misjudging the flight of the ball on a few occasions and delivering vertical balls that didn't quite have the right weight.

A foul in the 27th minute coming out of the hydration break brought an end to a promising counter-press moment where it appeared the USMNT had won the ball back.

Improved in the second half, as he was more assured defensively and better with the ball at his feet.

This section will be updated as the match progresses with analysis of his performance.

CM, Malik Tillman: 8

High work rate early on in the match, winning fouls in midfield and driving into the attacking third. His excellent pressing on 31 minutes nearly created the opening goal only ruined by an offside call on Folarin Balogun. A beautiful back-heel for Christian Pulisic in the 40th minute to open up a chance. His vertical pass for Balogun created the goal just before halftime, even if it took a it of a fortunate deflection off the feet of the defender.

Worked incredibly hard on and off the ball through the second half, and sealed the victory with a glorious free-kick that doubled the lead with nine minutes left in regulation.

MALIK TILLMAN'S BEAUTIFUL GOAL FOR AMERICA 🦅 pic.twitter.com/9BWkpMpmPD

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026

This section will be updated as the match progresses with analysis of his performance.

CM, Tyler Adams: 6

Wasn't needed as often as usual, with Bosnia and Herzegovina going Route One with their counter-attacks in an attempt to bypass Adams in midfield. Absorbed a dirty crackback block to the head by Edin Dzeko near halftime but managed to grit through it and stay in the game.

This section will be updated as the match progresses with analysis of his performance.

RW, Sergino Dest: 5

Not as involved as he usually is through the first half, as he tried to play as more of an off-ball winger. Struggled in his few opportunities on the ball as the first half dragged on. His awkward header for Folarin Balogun right before halftime created a chance, but it could have been better than the ball he played, driving it into the ground which forced Balogun to run onto it.

This section will be updated as the match progresses with analysis of his performance.

ACM, Weston McKennie: 7

Extremely active early. Found space brilliantly down the right in the 18th minute and almost created a goal, but probably should have cut the ball back to a trailing midfielder instead of delivering a cross to the face of goal where the goalkeeper could claim it. Brilliant creativity nearly created the opening goal after Tillman won the ball back high up the field, but was unlucky to see the goal wiped off.

This section will be updated as the match progresses with analysis of his performance.

MORE:A thin midfield leaves USMNT dangerously exposed in 2026 World Cup journey

LW, Christian Pulisic: 6

Was on his horse early, charging into a dangerous position four minutes into the game, although he probably could have found a pass rather than shooting with the defenders closing him down. His influence began to fade as the first half went on, as Bosnia game-planned to minimize his effect on the match. Had just 22 touches by halftime, but started to crop up a bit more right before the break, including a 40th-minute chance where Malik Tillman's back-heel found him in space.

In the second half, Pulisic had more defensive responsibilities as Bosnia tried to attack the space behind him and Antonee Robinson, and he did so dutifully. Tried to run a pacey move in the 58th minute but the ball got away from him.

This section will be updated as the match progresses with analysis of his performance

FWD, Folarin Balogun: 8

Throughout much of the game, Folarin Balogun was a consistent option for the USMNT in the attack, but he was also a consistent target of physical play from the Bosnia and Herzegovina defensive structure.

Missed badly with a one-time chance in the 15th minute that he should have put on frame. Tried to win a penalty on the half-hour mark, but there wasn't quite enough contact in the chance to warrant a foul. Did exceptionally well to finish a chance in the 31st minute, unlucky to be flagged for offside as the defender stepped up just in the nick of time. Rushed a cross to Christian Pulisic in the 38th minute that wasted a good transitional chance.

Scored a great, scrappy goal just before halftime as he stuck with the ball despite a big deflection, finishing between the legs of the goalkeeper. His adjustment on the moment was exceptional!

THE @USMNT TAKES THE LEAD 🇺🇸

NOW BALOGUN CAN REALLY HIT THE @KingJames SILENCER! pic.twitter.com/4t9LzMjUUG

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026

Had a big missed chance right before halftime as he clipped the ball off the crossbar while crashing at a wide open goal. Was sent off in a truly brainless red card decision that left the USMNT down a man for the final half-hour, but was hardly Balogun's fault.

USMNT substitutes vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

This section will be updated as the match progresses with analysis once substitutes enter for the USMNT off the bench and begin to make an impact on the game.

USMNT coach vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mauricio Pochettino: Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis and commentary on the performance of the USMNT head coach following the conclusion of the match.