Is America So Pretty On The Pitch?

Over its three wins at this World Cup, the United States has outscored its opponents 8-1. American players looked fitter, and faster, than the Bosnians. The American pressing style seemed to tire the opponent out. When the U.S. lost Balogun in the 64th minute, giving Bosnia a man advantage, the American defense was undaunted. “It’s kind of an adrenaline rush,” McKennie says of being shorthanded. “Because you’re like, ‘oh sh-t, if we can pull off this win and hold them to zero goals, it’s even bigger.’ So everyone’s running everywhere and tackling and just making sure we keep our structure.”

With the win over Bosnia, in front of 68,827 partisan fans in the stadium that hosted this year’s Super Bowl, the U.S. snapped its 10-game losing streak against European sides. “Maybe it’s our turn to start a new streak,” says American defender Chris Richards.

Dropping this game, especially after fellow co-hosts Canada and Mexico moved on, would have erased all American group stage accomplishments.  Now the U.S. meets Belgium, in Seattle, on Monday in the Round of 16, a rematch of a crushing 2-1 loss at the same stage of the 2014 World Cup, in which American keeper Tim Howard made a record 16 saves but still went home with his mates. The stakes remain high for the Americans. With the added layer of single-elimination games at this inaugural expanded 48-team World Cup, the U.S. was able to win its first World Cup knockout match since 2002—but still only advance to the final 16, a stage they’ve reached in each of their last three World Cups appearances before bowing out.