USA’s elimination of Bosnia and Herzegovina had a uniquely Utah feel

RSL Real Salt Lake Stadium was the site of a watch party for the USA Bosnia and Herzegovina FIFA World Cup match resulting in a USA 2-0 win. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

SANDY, Utah — The USA’s 2-0 knockout-round win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California, sends the European team home from its World Cup base at the Real Salt Lake Stadium in Sandy.

The watch party at RSL Stadium was full of celebration for the USA winners, tempered by a bit of sadness to see Bosnia and Herzegovina — Utah’s adopted “temporary team” — head home. It made for a bittersweet match for Utah fans.

In the Round of 32 game, USA striker Folarin Balogun scored in the 45th minute, and Malik Tillman added a textbook set-piece goal in the 82nd.

A controversial VAR review led to a straight red card for Balogun, forcing the USA to play a man down and ensuring he’ll miss the next match as well.

Christian Pulisic, the USA’s star forward, discussed the result with Telemundo afterward. “It was unfortunate to get the red card. We had to work even harder; we had to find ways to defend; we had to do everything we could to keep them from scoring, and the guys really dug deep. It was an amazing result.”

On playing a man down, he said the team’s defense made his job easier: “The team defended so well, they made it look good for me.”

On Tillman’s goal, Pulisic said, “The free kick was special. He’s so good at those, and just to see it happen in a moment like this, I’m really happy for him.”

On the red card, Pulisic said, “He’s done so much for us, we stepped it up for him, and we have to step it up next game. We can tell him it’s not gonna be his last moment in the World Cup.”

Adding to the drama, two USA goals were disallowed after video review.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s technical director picked up a yellow card during the match for arguing a call a little too passionately.

When the final whistle blew, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” — the tournament’s unofficial anthem — blared over the stadium speakers, and an impromptu singalong brought American fans together.

That unity is set to continue on Monday, when the USA plays Belgium in Seattle in the Round of 16. The USA beat Paraguay and Australia and lost to Türkiye in group play, while Bosnia and Herzegovina played Canada, Switzerland and Qatar before Wednesday’s match.

Fans can catch the Round of 16 match at one of several Park City watch parties, including at Wasatch Bagel and Grill.