Matt Freese secures clean sheet as USMNT moves on in World Cup after R32 win | OneFootball

The United States men's national team knew what they had to do on Wednesday evening. They had the weight of the world on their shoulders, for they knew they had to move on in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Making the knockout stage was not good enough. With fellow co-hosts Canada and Mexico already in the Round of 16, the US had to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina. And for New York City FC fans, they wanted to see Matt Freese move on.

Thankfully, despite going down a man in the second half, the USMNT secured the win and a spot in the Round of 16. The boys won 2-0, and Freese earned a clean sheet. More importantly, this was the first knockout round win since 2002 and the first win over European opposition since 2021.

Truth be told, for some of the long-time USMNT fans, there were nerves entering the match. The loss against Türkiye, which saw too much rotation in the lineup, worried many. The fear that the momentum would be gone was legitimate. But that was not the case. The players did the job, even with adversity.

The USMNT is moving on in the World Cup

The first half saw the US dominate in possession. They were more threatening in the attack. The possession helped with the defending, and the backline, back with the starters, did well to limit the Bosnians and their chances.

Freese did see some action, though, making what most would say were two saves. For some reason, FIFA is saying that he only made one. Still, the NYCFC keeper had two critical moments in the earlier parts of the game. He had to make a huge stop in the 10th minute. Ermedin Demirović shot the ball right at him, but powerfully. Hence, any mistake likely would have led to a goal, but Freese made himself big to make the stop.

Then, in the 11th minute, Bosnia and Herzegovina had a corner kick. Kerim Alajbegović sent the ball toward the goal, and it actually started to turn toward the net. Freese had to react quickly. He pushed the ball out of harm's way as he fell into the goal. By that moment, it was clear that it would have been a direct corner kick goal, and thankfully, the NYCFC player realized that as well.

Otherwise, Freese did not have much to do in the majority of the first 45 minutes. And things were looking great, especially when Folarin Balogun scored right before halftime.

But things changed in the second half. The Dragons began to gain more of the possesion, and the momentum of the match began to shift. Then, things became bleak. Balogun committed a foul, stepping on Tarik Muharemović's ankle. It led VAR to look into the foul, and eventually, the striker was sent off via a red card. Such a card might be argued based on intention, but alas, the USMNT was down to ten men from the 65th minute.

Right after, Freese had to make a few saves. Thankfully, they were both easy ones to make, but he knew that meant nothing.

Bosnia and Herzegovina continued to put on the pressure. The Stars and Stripes put in the defensive work. Like the first two fixtures in the group round, the backline did well to limit the shots on the goal and toward Freese. And when the NYCFC goalkeeper was not making saves, he was smartly coming off his line.

And despite being down a man, the USMNT was given a lifeline in the 82nd minute. The team was given a free kick right outside the box, but a little on an angle from the goal. That did not matter for Malik Tillman, who took the free kick. The player, choosing to go directly at the goal, curled the ball toward it. There might have been a slight deflection, but the ball went over the wall, and the Bosnian goalkeeper, Nikola Vasilj, failed to stop the US from doubling the lead.

That goal was vital, but the Stars and Stripes managed to hold on after that. Really, the defense, especially in the ten minutes of stoppage time, must be applauded. This team dug down deep, and now they will play another day in the World Cup.

Fans can be proud of the USMNT, and NYCFC supporters can be proud of Freese. This was not an easy game, but at the end of the day, the Stars and Stripes won. Yes, they will play Belgium next, and recent history will likely spark that fear again. But for now, fans can celebrate the recent win.