USMNT Targets Bosnia's 3 Set-Piece Goals in World Cup Last-32 Test
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 1
USMNT Targets Bosnia's 3 Set-Piece Goals in World Cup Last-32 Test
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 1
Summary
Bosnia and Herzegovina enters Wednesday's Santa Clara knockout match with three of its five tournament goals coming from set pieces, making dead-ball defending the top U.S. concern.
The 61st-ranked side is expected to sit in a low block and play physically — averaging 15.7 fouls per game — while creating little in open play, with 43.7% possession and 1.9 xG in the group stage.
The U.S. plans to counter with the press that worked against Paraguay and Australia, while Christian Pulisic's return from a calf injury should add creativity against a five-man defense.
Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman are central to stopping counters from Kerim Alajbegovic, Esmir Bajraktarevic and Ermin Mahmic, with 40-year-old Edin Dzeko still a finishing threat.
Favored as co-hosts in a rare World Cup knockout game, the Americans face rising pressure to stay patient if an early breakthrough does not come.