Pulisic Fit Again as USA Face Bosnia in Win-or-Go-Home World Cup Tie
The United States arrive at their World Cup round-of-32 tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the best shape they have been all tournament — and at the most unforgiving stage, where a single defeat ends everything.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino's side won Group D, powered by wins over Paraguay and Australia, and now expect to field a fully fit starting eleven for the first time at these finals. The key to that is Christian Pulisic, the talisman whose return from injury gives the co-hosts a cutting edge they have sorely missed in stretches.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are no gift of a draw. Physical, well-organised and dangerous on the counter, they arrive with nothing to lose and the freedom that brings. For the United States, playing before a home crowd carries its own pressure: a nation co-hosting the biggest World Cup ever wants — expects — its team to go deep.
The knockout format strips away second chances. Group-stage stumbles can be forgotten; a bad night here cannot. Pochettino has spoken about breaking old habits and seizing the moment, and a healthy Pulisic pulling the strings gives the Americans their best chance to do exactly that.
Win, and the co-hosts march on with momentum and a fit squad. Lose, and a home World Cup ends before the quarter-finals — the kind of outcome that would sting for years. Everything the United States have built at this tournament comes down to ninety minutes, and maybe more.
