‘Like The World Cup Remaining.’ USA Unfastened However Not Overlooking Bosnia And Herzegovina

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Shrieks of laughter echoed around an empty PayPal Park. Weston McKennie playfully taunted Tyler Adams, just like he usually does. Even the normally reserved Christian Pulisic joined in on the fun.

As members of the U.S. men’s national team worked through a training session at the home venue of MLS club San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday, anyone watching — if they didn’t know better — wouldn’t think that these players were barely 24 hours before what might be the biggest games of their lives.

Nothing less than the legacy of what many have called a “Golden Generation” of American soccer stars led by Pulisic, McKennie and Adams is at stake on Wednesday, when the USA meets Bosnia and Herzegovina in its first do-or-die match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at nearby San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (kickoff at 5 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One).

The stakes are enormous. And after winning its first two contests in a World Cup for the first time in almost a century en route to topping Group D, the expectations are just as high.

For months, coach Mauricio Pochettino has talked up his squad’s potential: “Why not us?”

That has been the question the former Paris Saint-Germain manager has asked his team and the USA’s rapidly growing fan base again and again.

Players and supporters alike have internalized that message, to the point where many are already looking past Wednesday’s round of 32 contest and to next week’s round of 16 in Seattle against Belgium or Senegal — or even the July 10 quarterfinal versus (probably) star-studded Spain or Portugal or Croatia.

Not so fast. The Bosnians won’t go quietly. And while they’re not France, the U.S. hasn’t beaten a European team in its last 12 chances dating to 2021 and has lost all six of such matches under Pochettino.

If that streak doesn’t end in Northern California, at a World Cup on home soil, the public perception of the USA’s tournament — the reality — will instantly swing from wild success to catastrophic failure. There is nothing in between.

The players are unfazed.

Chris Richards will be key in defense for the USA. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

“We try not to think worst-case scenario,” defender Chris Richards told me Monday before the Americans’ final practice.

“For us, ultimately it’s [about] going to this recreation with confidence, but in addition understanding that no issues do not all the time go your means,” he mentioned. “So let’s be sure you’re ready for all the things.”

Moreover, being wired received’t assist.

“Leisure brings focus,” Pochettino mentioned at Monday’s pre-match press convention, attributing the quote to Jorge Valdano, a legendary participant and coach with Actual Madrid who received the 1986 World Cup with Argentina.

No marvel the U.S. is selecting to take a look at Wednesday as a chance to maintain its World Cup goals kicking, moderately than an obligation to.

Christian Pulisic needs to be prepared for the USA match. (Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)

“We perceive what it means: You win otherwise you go residence,” Pulisic mentioned. “So yeah, there positively must be quite a lot of focus and a spotlight to element this week. However I believe the vibe feels good. We have nonetheless saved it gentle, and we nonetheless are going to be able to battle as soon as the whistle blows.”

If not, something may occur. Simply days into the enterprise finish of this World Cup, European powers the Netherlands and four-time champion Germany are out earlier than the spherical of 16 has even began. And that’s not even accounting for the surprising: crimson playing cards, personal objectives, accidents. Holding the feelings in examine — on the line however not over it — also can go a great distance towards the flexibility to outlive and advance.

“Soccer,” Pochettino allowed, “is an unpredictable factor. We attempt to cut back that.”

Mauricio Pochettino, coach of the USA. (Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)

Nonetheless, the chances are on the house workforce’s aspect. One other large crimson, white and blue-clad crowd is predicted.

The U.S. comes into the match ranked fifteenth by FIFA whereas the Golden Lilles are 61st, decrease than 16 nations that didn’t qualify for this World Cup. Not that that issues when the sport begins.

“I do not imagine that we’re the favored workforce,” Pochettino mentioned. “Everybody mentioned Germany was the favourite, however Paraguay beat them.

“After the group stage, we’re seeing how troublesome it’s for everybody,” he continued.  “We do not have one other alternative if we fail. [So] it is all-in, realizing that that recreation is the ultimate of the World Cup. That, I believe, must be — and is — our mindset.”