World Cup updates: Northern CA celebrates as US wins Bay Area knockout game
Team USA advanced to the knockout round of the FIFA World Cup for the second tournament in a row, and the squad led by star midfielder Christian Pulisic looked to prove itself.
The U.S. men face Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, marking the San Francisco 49ers home stadium’s closing match for the World Cup. The stakes: Winner makes it into the Round of 16 to face Belgium next Monday in Seattle.
Here’s a recap of Wednesday’s action in and around Santa Clara as it unfolded throughout the afternoon and early evening.
Joyous US fans spill out of Levi’s Stadium
Slightly sunburned and beaming with joy are the best descriptors for Team USA fans as they cheered their way out of Levi’s Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Thousands of fans poured out of the stadium cheering “USA!” with many jumping with glee as they made a final pose in front of the stadium before rushing to beat the oncoming traffic.
Zayden Alhasan and Ezra Belingheri, two long time friends, said Belingheri met in Nevada from Italy before journeying on a four-hour drive to watch USA play.
Alhasan said the 2-0 game was fun to watch and that the crowd was incredibly lively. He was happy to share his team since Belingheri’s home team of Germany was eliminated in an upset Monday, falling to Paraguay.
Belingheri, originally from Germany, said he has enjoyed seeing the growth that America has had with soccer enthusiasm.
“I’m loving that America is getting more into the soccer spirit,” Belingheri. Soccer is maybe not the most entertaining sport, but I’m loving that they’re showing that you can make some money with it, you can have some fun.”
Celebration time in California as Team USA advances
The home crowd at Levi’s Stadium began their celebration a couple of minutes before the final horn sounded, with the U.S. supporters enjoying a two-goal cushion with a couple of minutes left.
Chants of “USA!” could be heard on the Fox television broadcast. Minutes later, as the result became official, the crowd erupted with glee — and followed it shortly thereafter with a rendition of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver, USMNT’s anthem for this year’s World Cup.
Elsewhere in Northern California, fans caught the end of the game at watch parties, like one at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium that drew thousands, or from other sporting events.
As the Los Angeles Dodgers played the Athletics at Sutter Health Park near California’s capital, loud cheers broke out in the first inning as the big screen showed the U.S. had scored its second goal. Modest “USA” chants followed at the ballpark as the screen showed Team USA had secured the win.
Final: US defeats Bosnia-Herzegovina, 2-0
The final horn sounds, and the U.S. men’s national team has advanced into the Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
The host nation won comfortably despite playing down a man from the 64th minute on. Malik Tillman was the hero, relieving the pressure of a 1-0 goal lead with just 10 men on the field with his brilliant free kick. Bosnia and Herzegovina had chances down the stretch with 10 minutes of extra time, but the U.S. survived and will play Belgium on Monday in Seattle.
Double-digit stoppage time
After 90 minutes and with the U.S. leading 2-0, Team USA fans at Levi’s Stadium let out some boos as referees revealed there would be 10 minutes of stoppage time due to various injuries and replay reviews.
The U.S. will look to nurse that lead despite playing down a man, following a red card for Folarin Balogun in the 64th minute.
Goal! US up 2-0 after Tillman’s strike
Malik Tillman has given the United States soccer a gigantic insurance policy. The 24-year-old midfielder stepped to a free kick just outside the box, and planted it in the back of the net going to the top corner, over the wall and beyond keeper Nikola Vasilj.
It made it 2-0, presumably taking the anxiety out of the rest of the game after playing down a man when Folarin Balogun was given a red card 18 minutes earlier.
Red card for Balogun
The U.S. lost its goal scorer and had to nurse its lead while playing down a man.
Folarin Balogun was given a red card in the 64th minute after getting tangled with defender Tarik Muharemovic and stepping on his ankle. The foul came after VAR called for a review, which was a controversial call given no foul was called initially. It only came after both players were down and getting treated for potential injuries.
Commentators on the Fox television broadcast said they disagreed with the red card decision — and the use of the video assistant referee system to call it.
Balogun was the U.S. most forceful player in the first half, scoring the match’s only goal, having a near penalty when getting tripped in the box, and having a would-be goal negated by being offsides. He leads the Americans with three goals scored in the tournament, after tallying two vs. Paraguay.
The U.S. maintained 1-0 lead going into the 71st minute following the game’s second hydration break.
Halftime: United States 1, Bosnia and Herzegovina 0
Team USA takes a 1-0 lead into the halftime break after a 45th-minute goal by Folarin Balogun.
The story of the first half was Balogun scoring the game’s only goal and coming up close at least two other times, including a chance right in front of the keeper just before the first half ended when he took a bouncing header from Sergino Dest and put it on the crossbar, but it bounced up and over.
The Americans controlled possession and were the more aggressive side, registering five chances on goal to just one from Bosnia and Herzegovina. They appeared to get more comfortable as the half wore on, and will go into the second half hoping to convert more opportunities and break the underdog’s spirit.
Goal! USA strikes first
Goal, United States!
In the 45th minute, Folarin Balogun took advantage of Tarik Muharemovic misplaying a ball right in front of the goal, and used his left foot to nutmeg Vasilj, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Balogun hit the LeBron James “Silencer” celebration again, and this time it counted.
It was Balogun’s third goal of the tournament, and first since he scored a pair in the group stage opener versus Paraguay. Balogun before the goal was having his way against Bosnia and Herzegovina’s five-man back front.
The goal gave the Americans confidence and breathing room, getting on the board after dominating possession throughout the first half.
In West Sacramento, where the Los Angeles Dodgers are visiting the Athletics this week, the big screen at Sutter Health Park was showing the soccer game before players take the diamond.
A solid crowd had already filed into the minor-league ballpark — the A’s temporary home until 2028 — an hour before first pitch and let out loud cheers as the U.S. took its 1-0 lead.
No goal for USA after offside ruling
The U.S. thought it had the match’s first goal from striker Folarin Balogun in the 31st minute, but he was half a step offside when the pass came in from Weston McKennie. The store remains 0-0 at the 36th minute.
The Americans forced the turnover in the attacking end and Balogun made a move to it past the keeper into the left side of the goal.
Balogun celebrated with LeBron James’ signature “Silencer” celebration right as boos rang out when offsides was ruled.
Big saves early for US goalkeeper
U.S. goalie Matt Freese was tested early, making a pair of saves before the 15-minute mark, including one on a direct corner from Kerim Alajbegovic. Bosnia and Herzegovina changed its formation at the start of the game, playing five defenders on their back line to prevent the U.S. from creating space on the attack.
The Americans had a strong scoring chance set up by a cross from Weston McKennie toward Antonee Robinson streaking toward the goal. The ball deflected of the keeper Nikola Vasilj, then Robinson, and went out of bounds.
Vasilj and Robinson collided, and Vasilj needed attention from the training staff, but remained in the game.
Game is underway
The game started right on time at 5 p.m.
It is being broadcast in English on Fox and the Fox One streaming app, and in Spanish on Telemundo and NBC’s Peacock streaming app.
US starting lineup announced
The U.S. announced a starting lineup of Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream (captain), Alex Freeman, Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun.
Pulisic is getting his first start since suffering a calf in the group stage opener. He missed the victory over Australia in the second game and returned as a sub in the third match against Turkey.
One hour to go in Santa Clara
It’s almost go time in sunny Santa Clara at Levi’s Stadium — known officially as the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium during the tournament due to FIFA rules — for the Round of 32 match between the U.S. and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The weather couldn’t be any better for the 5 p.m. local kickoff, with temperatures expected to be in the mid-70s to high-60s. The 10 mph winds could be something a factor as they tend to swirl, as many field goal attempts have done during San Francisco 49ers games played in the stadium.
The scene outside is electric, with American fans clad in stars and stripes, while a smattering of Bosnia-Herzegovina fans are decked out in their dark blue and yellow.
The U.S. is coming off a 2-0-1 showing while winning Group D in the previous stage. Bosnia and Herzegovina, nicknamed the Zmajevi (which translates to “the Dragons”), finished third in Group B after going 1-1-1 with a 1-1 tie against Canada, 4-1 loss to Switzerland and 3-1 victory over Qatar.
The Americans are considered heavy favorites to move on to the Round of 16. They enter the game ranked No. 15 while Bosnia and Herzegovina are No. 61, according to FIFA.
Fans march to Levi’s Stadium
Fans clad in red, white and blue started marching around 90 minutes before game time from the Blue Lot Tailgate Party in the nearby parking lot toward the stadium.
They banged drums. Some played brass instruments. Others waved American flags and let off firework smoke bombs that painted the air red and blue.
As the color guards and marching band made their way down Lafayette Street, intersections were closed to vehicle traffic and dozens of police officers cleared the street on horse, car and bicycle.
The closer the crowd got to the stadium the louder the cheers and excitement were for the USA team. Before long, the crowd joined the thousands of other fans lining up eagerly lining up to have their tickets scanned.
Far outnumbered but still spirited, contingents of Bosnia and Herzegovina donned dark blue attire while holding the nation’s blue-and-yellow flag as they prepared to enter the venue.
This year’s World Cup is just the second Bosnia and Herzegovina has qualified for, following its appearance in 2014. The nation fell into a brutal draw in a group by Argentina and Nigeria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina failed to qualify for the elimination rounds.
Round of 16 opponent is set: Belgium
It looked for the better part of two hours like the winner of U.S.-Bosnia and Herzegovina would advance to face Senegal, which led by 2-0 early in the second half of that Round of 32 matchup playing out in Seattle.
But Belgium stormed back, stunning Senegal with goals in the 86th and 89th minutes of regulation to knot it up at 2-2.
A 30-minute period of extra time followed and, after 120 minutes of match time plus 5 minutes of injury stoppage, Belgium got its chance with a penalty kick by Youri Tielemans, who had scored the team’s second goal.
Tielemans came through, scoring the go-ahead goal in the top-right corner to make it 3-2. After 12 total minutes of stoppage in extra time, the referees signaled game over.
Belgium with the 3-2 win advanced and will remain in Seattle for the Round of 16 next Monday against either the United States, if the host nation wins this evening, or Bosnia and Herzegovina, if they can upset Team USA in the Bay Area.
If it’s the Americans, it would be a rematch of the Round of 16 in 2014, when Belgium eliminated the USMNT, 2-1.
US fan and his dog travel North America
Hundreds of fans gathered at the Blue Lot Tailgate Party eagerly anticipating the start of the U.S. vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina game.
The parking lot boomed with early 2000s punk rock including Jimmy Eat World, Green Day and Bowling For Soup. Fans lined up around food tents waiting to purchase hot dogs, hamburgers and beer.
Near one of the speakers, Dan Nicholson wore an American flag hat, pants and cape while handing out stickers and American flag pins to children greeting his companion Willow, a happy white and brown dog dressed in an American bow tie, hat carrying a plush bald eagle.
Dan Nicholson said he and Willow, originally from Washington, D.C., have been traveling up and down North America for the World Cup. Over the past few weeks, Dan Nicholson has traveled to Mexico, Dallas and Seattle, to cheer on his favorite teams.
Nicholson said Willow is happy to be with other fans who are more than happy to give her attention and pets.
“Some people have their dogs at home and they miss their dog and she gives them a little free therapy,” Nicholson said. “Everybody wins.”
Tailgating and pregame parties begin
A half-mile away from the entrance of Levi’s Stadium and about four hours before game time, fans repping red, white and blue were buzzing with excitement at the Hilton Santa Clara tailgate party.
Among them are Jeremy Tollas, Chris Snyder and Jason Luttrell. The trio stand out among other USA fans for their extraordinarily patriotic costumes.
Luttrell is sporting a red white and blue spiky wig with an American flag draped over his shoulders like a cape, Snyder is dressed as an American revolutionary along with a powdered wig and Tollas is dressed as a skeleton Uncle Sam with a large, patriotic hat.
The three childhood friends, originally from Michigan, flew from Michigan, Las Vegas and Austin, Texas, for their first World Cup game. Fans have gathered around them to take photos and compliment them on their costumes.
“We’ve been planning this for a couple months,” Luttrell said. “We bought the tickets, hoping USA would win the group. They won the group, obviously, so it worked out perfect.”
Across the tailgate party, Amir Skenderovic donned his country’s blue and yellow proudly. Skenderovic said he flew in Tuesday to proudly cheer for his home team of Bosnia and Herzegovina with about 300 other fans.
Skenderovic said he is thankful to the U.S. for being so welcoming and hosting the World Cup. And though he wishes for his home country to win, he is thankful for the opportunity to be part of the World Cup.
“If (Bosnia) get defeated, we’re gonna say thanks to them and enjoy the rest of the World Cup and the journey with them.”
Belgium-Senegal gets underway
Belgium and Senegal began their Round of 32 contest at 1 p.m. in Seattle, playing at Lumen Field in Seattle.
The winner of that game will face the victor between U.S. and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 16. That matchup will also be played in Seattle, at 5 p.m. Monday.
Fans board train to Santa Clara
At the Sacramento Valley Amtrak station, red-white-and-blue-clad soccer fans were headed to Santa Clara on the Capitol Corridor train around 11:30 a.m., which drops riders off right across the street from Levi’s Stadium.
USA fan Christian Bond got tickets for Wednesday’s game in Santa Clara before he even knew the team would make it through, and he said he’s “stoked” to be attending.
“I was sitting through the Turkey-Paraguay game knowing that if Paraguay got a result, it was the U.S.’s game,” Bond said. “I was in a section of Turkey fans and trying to hide my excitement.”
Bond chose to take the train to the game to avoid parking woes and getting too tired while driving back in traffic.
“I get super, super nervous whenever the U.S. plays, so I’ve got myself now in the mentality of: I’m at the game, I’m just going to enjoy the game, root for us, hope we win.”
The Capitol Corridor’s 11:53 a.m. and 12:53 p.m. scheduled departures from Sacramento were the rail service’s trains to accommodate fans heading to Santa Clara for the game.
There was no shortage of U.S. fans at the train station Wednesday morning who chose the alternative to driving for convenience.
The McLaughlin family took Wednesday morning’s train to attend their first-ever World Cup match in person.
“We’ve taken the train for the Niners game before, it’s pretty easy, and it’s kind of a nice train ride, actually,” Matt McLaughlin said.
Mark and Jenna Polhemus took the train because they wanted an easy way to get home to their young children after the game without having to book a hotel in the city.
The pair got their tickets to the U.S. match in an early FIFA lottery, meaning they had no idea the home team would be playing.
“That’s the best part, it was a big surprise,” Jenna Polhemus said. “We’re gonna kick a--.”
US looks to avoid upset
This World Cup’s Round of 32 has already seen unprecedented results, with major upsets by Paraguay against Germany and Morocco against the Netherlands on Monday.
All three host nations are alive as the North American nations split the honor for this year’s World Cup. On Tuesday evening, Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 in its first knockout round match and will next face England on Sunday. Canada defeated South Africa, 1-0, and will play Morocco in the Round of 16 on Saturday.
Matchup preview
The U.S. clinched its spot as the Group D winner before taking the pitch for its third and final group-stage game against Turkey, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay in Southern California and a 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle.
This evening’s elimination game could be one of the biggest sporting events in the region’s history.
Which is saying something.
Months after the same stadium hosted its second Super Bowl, with the Golden State Warriors being part of the NBA Finals six times since 2015 and with the San Francisco Giants winning three World Series from 2010 to 2014, there’s a chance Wednesday’s World Cup match could rise to that level.
The U.S. men’s team hasn’t reached the final eight of the world’s biggest sporting event since 1930, when they finished third.
Ticket prices
The least expensive tickets for Wednesday’s game earlier this week were listed for more $1,500 apiece on ticket resale website StubHub, with premium and exclusive lounge seats ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Suites available for rent cost upwards of $200,000.
Ticket rounds for the first five World Cup games at Levi’s Stadium, all of which were part of the group stage of the tournament, sold for far cheaper, in roughly the $200 to $400 range per ticket.
The discrepancy is likely due to the demand by fans to see Team USA play in a high-stakes, elimination game, whereas the earlier games in the group stage matches produced few big-name teams with popular stars playing in Santa Clara.
How and where to watch
The U.S.-Bosnia and Herzegovina game will be broadcast live on Fox and via the Fox One streaming app with English commentary, and on Telemundo and Universo in Spanish. NBC’s Peacock streaming app also carries the Spanish-language broadcasts via Telemundo and Universo.
YouTube TV’s base plan and streaming service Fubo also carry all World Cup games.
Many Sacramento-area bars, restaurants and other businesses will also be playing the World Cup broadcast.
The Bee’s Emma Hall, Michael McGough and Don Sweeney contributed to this story.
This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 2:00 PM with the headline "World Cup updates: Northern CA celebrates as US wins Bay Area knockout game."
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