There were nine changes to the USMNT starting lineup in today's round of 32 tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina, as Mauricio Pochettino returned to the side that dominated against Australia and Paraguay in the hosts' first two games of the competition.

Both of those games saw the Stars and Stripes get off to a rapid start by scoring early, something the US was unable to do against Bosnia. It made the fixture cagey, with neither side being able to carve out any clear-cut chances before the first-half hydration break.

Sergej Barbarez deployed a 5-3-2 formation, which ensured that his side would always have bodies in defence, and looked to frustrate the Americans from the off. Despite how defensive the Bosnians were set up, they still pressed whichever US player was in possession, not allowing time for their opponents' talented attackers to produce a moment of magic in the opening stages.

Folarin Balogun thought he opened the scoring in California after Weston McKennie latched on a loose pass from the Bosnian backline and slotted in the Monaco forward, who cooly slotted the ball past Nikola Vasilj. However, a trailing leg left US fans in dismay as the goal was ruled out for offside.

The 24-year-old was the US' main focal point throughout the first half, and managed to put his nation in the lead on the stroke of halftime. A deflected through ball found its way to the feet of Balogun, who made it three goals in three games at this year's World Cup, with a composed finish through the legs of the Bosnian keeper.

The striker smelt blood, and almost doubled his tally deep into added time, after a cut-back from Sergino Dest found Balogun, whose effort hit the top-of-the-bar, going agonisingly close to putting his country firmly in the driving seat going into the halftime. 

It was vital for the hosts to get the first goal, and likely changed both managers' half-time team-talk. Pochettino would have been happy with his players performances, but likely told his men to push forward and kill the game off.

Despite the Dragons needing a goal, the second half began how the first ended, with the USA putting constant pressure on the Bosnian backline and looking likely to extend their lead.

However, disaster struck for the hosts midway through the half, as their star striker received a straight red after Balogun put in a nasty looking challenge on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic. The decision was made after an on-field review from referee Raphael Claus, who deemed the contentious challenge worthy of a straight sending off.

Balogun was arguably the best player on the pitch leading up to his red card, and seemed shocked when he was given his marching orders. 

Pochettino was likely thankful for the hydration break, as it gave the Argentine a chance to regroup his squad and set out a game plan for his players to ensure Bosnia didn't take advantage of having the extra man.

The Argentine's speech must've worked, as the US came out of the hydration break hunting down a goal that would kill the game off, and put one foot in the round of 16.

The Stars and Stripes thought they done just that after a messy Christian Pulisic strike bundled its way into the Bosnian net, but once again, the US had a goal ruled out for offside.

However, the hosts managed to put the game to bed in the 82nd minute, after a Malick Tilman free-kick got up-and-over the wall into the top-left corner, despite Vasilj getting a hand to the ball.  It was a goal that sent the California crowd into raptures, with a sense of relief surrounding the stadium.

Bosnia had a few attempts from long-range that went just wide of the post, but apart from these hopeful attempts, the Dragons were played off the park by a 10-man USA side, who finished the game deserved 2-0 winners, and booked themselves a place in the round of 16.

Folarin Balogun's dismissal will be a huge loss for the USMNT, as the striker was arguably the best player on the pitch before receiving the red card. The Monaco star made easy-work of a physical Bosnian backline, and could have had more than one goal on a different day.

Although the US went down to 10-men, they still remained the dominant side, not changing to a defensive mentality, rather, pressing Bosnia further and trying to take advantage of a tiring opponent.

The McKennie-Tilman midfield duo has stood out in every game the pair have played together, with both individuals possessing incredible physical attributes, as well as having the ability to pick out a pass that can cut through an opponents backline.

The Bosnians were undoubtedly very poor, but a huge amount of credit should be given to Pochettino for the way he set his squad out to press from the off, and how he managed through adversity, not choosing to sit back and hold on to the States' 1-0 lead at the time of Balogun's sending off.

It will be interesting to see who Poch chooses to lead the line in the USA's next game, and how much the loss of Balogun will affect the hosts. But the former Spurs boss will certainly be delighted with his side's performance and fighting spirit going into the States' match against Belgium

The hosts face Belgium on Monday at 8pm in Seattle, after The Red Devils pulled off a dramatic comeback against Senegal, managing to overturn a two goal deficit, and winning the game via a penalty deep into added time of extra time.

It will be the Stars and Stripes' first test against a 'big' nation, but many would view the co-hosts as favourites going into the fixture already. 

It is destined to be a blockbuster battle for a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, and without Balogun leading the line, it could also see a change of tactics from Pochettino, or at the very least some changed personnel.