Tim Ream, likely to start for the USA against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, says the team feels less pressure than in previous tournaments. The US captain noted that the round of 32 brings a different dynamic compared to the round of 16 in 2022. "Would it be weird if I told you I don't really feel too much pressure at this minute?" Ream said. "I just think there's so much pressure that we put on ourselves. It feels very different this time around than 2022."
First Competitive Meeting Between USA and Bosnia
This will be the first competitive clash between the two nations, following three friendlies. The most recent friendly, on 18 December 2021, featured only three members of Mauricio Pochettino's current World Cup squad; only one of Bosnia's players from that match is on their 26-man roster. Despite limited history, the USA's record against European opponents looms large. The Americans have failed to win in 13 consecutive matches against Uefa opposition since a victory over Northern Ireland in March 2021, losing the last 10 of those.
Gio Reyna's Role and Rust
Gio Reyna, who played 76 minutes in the rotated lineup to close the group stage—his longest outing since December 2024—acknowledged the challenge. "With knockout rounds, anything can happen," Reyna said. "This team really does well with challenges." However, Reyna showed signs of rust, struggling to find passing lanes and often failing to complete upfield passes. His frustration was visible when he slammed the ball into the turf at halftime.
Expecting the Unexpected
Bosnia advanced to the knockouts despite managing only 20 passes into opponents' boxes across three group games, the third-fewest of any advancing team. Their threat comes from wide areas, with wingers Esmir Bajraktarević (PSV) and Kerim Alajbegović (Bayer Leverkusen) providing crosses for veteran striker Edin Džeko. Ream emphasized the need to adapt. "I don't know that we completely expected Paraguay to be the way that they were in the first game," he reflected. "There's always things that get thrown at you, so I don't know that we fully expect Bosnia to just be defensive. We have to be able to expect the unexpected."
