The US media have already shifted focus to Bosnia and Herzegovina following the end of the World Cup group stage. Although the US national team was defeated 3-2 by Turkey in the final round, the country is convinced that the true challenge is yet to come.
As NBC News reported, the loss to Turkey did not affect qualification, as the Americans had already clinched the top spot in the group. This is why head coach Mauricio Pochettino rested most of the regular starters and gave playing time to players with limited minutes.
Now, there is no room for calculations. In the Round of 16, or rather the Round of 32 of the World Cup, on July 1 in Santa Clara, the opponent will be Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We will be ready,” said the midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, whose score against Turkey for a moment appeared as enough for the draw before the Americans received a goal in the final seconds of stoppage time.
The US is especially thrilled by the return of its biggest star, Christian Pulisic, who, after recovering from a calf injury, returned to the field and showed how much he means to the national team. In the opening minutes after his entry, he hit the post, and his teammate, Brendan Aaronson, could not hide his excitement.
“He returned, and he immediately brought energy. Such is the Christian; he is our leader,” Aaronson said.
The Americans ended the group stage with eight goals, setting their best scoring record at a World Cup. Despite the defeat to Turkey, the hosts are not worried.
“I am not worried at all. We were born for these matches. It is normal to feel pressure at the World Cup, but we are ready. We will be fully prepared against Bosnia and give our best,” Aaronson said.
The head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, believes his national team is in a good position ahead of the knockout stage, emphasizing that the goal was never to get three group wins, but to reach the knockout matches with a fresh and healthy squad, N1 writes.
