Times of San Diego will offer match previews of U.S. and Mexico games during the World Cup. For more, see our 2026 World Cup Guide to local watch parties.
Match: US vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
When: 5 p.m., Wednesday
How to watch: Fox5 San Diego, Telemundo and FOX One.
Players and coaches for underdog Bosnia and Herzegovina have surely taken notice of the amount of trash talk being thrown their way by those who should know better – including former US goalkeeper Tim Howard – ahead of their World Cup knockout game against the US.
Howard posted a video online stating, “they’re better off not even getting on a plane and going to San Francisco because the U.S. is gonna put work in against them.” If there ever was an example of bulletin-board material to inspire a team that has a good balance of youth and experience, this is it.
There will definitely be a lot of crow to be shared around the table by some pundits if the result does not go as expected – and it will be deserved.
US
Strengths: The USMNT comes into the round of 32 knockout match on Wednesday as a heavy favorite despite losing 3-2 to Turkey on a last-second goal in its previous game at SoFi Stadium. While the result did not hurt the Stars and Stripes since the US already had clinched the top spot in Group D, it did expose some vulnerabilities in the backline that the opponent was able to exploit.
Keep an eye on: As always, Christian Pulisic. He did not get the start, but was subbed in at the 57-minute mark against Turkey, giving the offense a needed jolt of energy. Pulisic will undoubtedly get the start Wednesday and will come in with a bit of a chip on his shoulder after he got nutmegged on the attack by midfielder Arda Güler that decided the game. Coming off a calf injury suffered against Paraguay, which kept him out of the match versus Australia, the 27-year-old Hershey, Pennsylvania native is still looking for the chance to end comparisons with the legendary Landon Donovan as to who is the best US player of all time.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Strengths: Bosnia and Herzegovina finished third in the Group B standings after a dominating 3-1 victory over Qatar on Thursday. Despite being huge underdogs, the Dragons are not unfamiliar with overcoming adversity, after braving the European playoffs to qualify for the World Cup. The team dramatically advanced by winning consecutive penalty shootouts against Wales at Cardiff City Stadium and then against four-time world champion Italy in front of the home fans at Stadion Bilino Polje.
Keep an eye on: The Dragons have a physically imposing backline along with midfielders of great technical ability, including the talented Kerim Alajbegović.
