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Playing at Home, USA Aims to Win Another Match in the Round of 16 of the World Cup

The United States seeks to advance to the World Cup elimination rounds, a goal it has achieved only once in the past.

Reaching the World Cup elimination rounds is nothing new for the United States. However, Americans usually make a quick exit at this stage. Wednesday's game against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California, marks the eighth time the USA has participated in an elimination round in 12 World Cups. But only once, in 2002, the Americans managed to win a match in this stadium. This year, the tournament has been expanded to 48 teams, and the first elimination round includes 32 teams, creating an additional elimination round. Here's a look at the USA's brief and mostly disappointing record once the World Cup moves into the 'win or go home' phase.

Uruguay, 1930: Semi-finals The first World Cup was held with 13 teams, and the USA advanced directly to the semifinals as winners of their group. Here the journey ended for the Americans, with a 6-1 defeat against Argentina.

Italy, 1934: One and Out The second edition of the World Cup was the only tournament that did not use brackets for the first matches. Instead, all 16 teams played in a single elimination format. The USA was immediately eliminated with a 7-1 loss to Italy, who were also the hosts and eventual champions.

USA, 1994: Round of 16 The USA didn't qualify for the World Cup from 1954 to 1986, was eliminated in the group stage in 1990 and then got an automatic berth as host nation in '94. A 1-1 draw with Switzerland and a surprising 2-1 win against Colombia in the Rose Bowl allowed the Americans to face Brazil in the round of 16. The Brazilians were reduced to 10 men after a red card in the first half: Leonardo hit Tab Ramos, causing the American midfielder to fracture his skull. The Brazilians still controlled the match, winning 1-0 and claiming their fourth world title.

South Korea-Japan, 2002: Quarter-finals The USA's best result in the modern era of the tournament. An upset against mighty Portugal and a draw with co-hosts South Korea put the Americans through to the round of 16 against regional rival Mexico. Goals from Brian McBride and Landon Donovan led to a 2-0 victory. The USA's journey ended in the next match with a tense 1-0 defeat against that year's finalist Germany, decided by a Michael Ballack goal in the 39th minute. The Americans remember the match for a famous episode in which a German player appeared to block a probable US goal with his arm. At the time there was no video review.

South Africa, 2010: Round of 16 Donovan's frenetic last-minute goal against Algeria secured a dramatic 1-0 victory in the final group match, which sent the USA to the next round. Facing Ghana, the USA went down 1-0 after just five minutes. Donovan equalized on a penalty in the second half. Asamoah Gyan's goal in extra time secured a 2-1 victory for Ghana, which sent the USA home.

Brazil, 2014: Round of 16 The USA advanced from the group stage with a 2-1 win against Ghana, a 2-2 draw with Portugal and a 1-0 loss to eventual champion Germany. Their tournament ended with a 2-1 defeat against Belgium.

Qatar, 2022: Round of 16 The USA began the group stage with two draws against Wales and England, and qualified with a 1-0 win over Iran thanks to a goal from Christian Pulisic. The Netherlands then made quick work of the USA, winning 3-1.

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