USMNT sets new record after winning against Bosnia and Herzegovina

The friendly win caps off an exceptionally successful 2021 for the USMNT. The squad won the 2021 Nations League with an epic victory over Mexico, then went on to win the 2021 Gold Cup before following that up with a strong start to World Cup Qualifying.

The victory helped the Americans set a new record for victories in a calendar year with 17, and the team’s 17-2-3 record set a new mark for the highest winning percentage in a calendar year.

Debutant Cole Basset scored the winning goal

The United States got to celebrate a nice moment in the end when debutant Cole Bassett, 20, of the Colorado Rapids, scored the winning goal when he cleaned up the rebound of a shot from Jonathan Gomez, 18, who was also making his debut.

"Cole is the guy that [assistant coach] Anthony Hudson was urging to put on because of the impact he can make and the goals that he has in him," United States coach Gregg Berhalter said. "Cole is a guy that shows up and scores goals and we were seeing that during the week with his finishing ability, and he showed that again tonight."

Bosnia and Herzegovina suffered a red card

The USMNT played the second half on Saturday up a man, after a red card for Bosnian midfielder Amar Begic in the 40th minute left Bosnia and Herzegovina shorthanded.

The red card helped the USMNT dominate possession, with a 73.5% edge, and threaten Bosnia with 10 shots and three shots on goal. However, Bosnia managed nine shots with three on target through only 26% of possession.

"I think the worst thing that happened was that they got the red card," Berhalter said. "I thought we were in good shape, creating dangerous opportunities, maybe our defensive transition wasn't so good in that first phase, but good movements behind the line, good balls in the penalty box, we almost got a couple of goals."

Jordan Morris return

The United States' most dangerous attacking player was Jordan Morris, who was making his first appearance with the national team since 2019. After he missed most of the 2021 season with the Seattle Sounders after suffering a torn ACL while on loan with Swansea City in February, Berhalter said the staff had tepid expectations for where he would be at this point.

USMNT players first cap

USMNT fans saw a handful of young players in the friendly. Brooks Lennon earned his first career USMNT cap with a start at right-back. Bryan Reynolds, a 20-year-old right-back who plays for AS Roma, also earned his first cap when he entered the match as a substitute for Lennon in the 62nd minute.

San Jose Earthquakes attacker Cade Cowell and Bassett also entered in the 78th minute for their USMNT debuts. Gomez, a former Louisville City FC player who recently transferred to Spain’s Real Sociedad, entered the match to make his USMNT debut in the 84th minute.

Berhalter brought new faces on with substitutions but started more familiar players. Acosta, whose 21st appearance in 2021 makes him the first USMNT player since 1994 to earn 21 caps in a calendar year, started alongside experienced players such as Matt Turner, Christian Roldan, and Walker Zimmerman.

The team will reconvene on Jan. 6, and Berhalter said they will try to schedule some scrimmages ahead of the next qualifying window. The U.S. hosts El Salvador in Columbus, Ohio, on Jan. 27, plays Canada in Hamilton, Ontario, on Jan. 30, and hosts Honduras in Minneapolis on Feb. 2.