The United States men’s national soccer team is preparing for the possibility of a penalty shootout ahead of their knockout stage match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday. With recent World Cup matches highlighting the unforgiving nature of shootouts, U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino and his players emphasized the importance of readiness for what can be a decisive, high-pressure moment.

Following dramatic shootout eliminations of Germany by Paraguay and the Netherlands by Morocco on Monday, the U.S. squad took note of the challenges that come with spot kicks. Defender Chris Richards said the team was keenly aware of the potential for upsets and stressed the need to avoid a repeat of Germany’s fate, where inexperience appeared to affect penalty execution.

Pochettino acknowledged that while replicating the intense atmosphere of a shootout during training is difficult, the team has incorporated consistent penalty kick practice into their regimen. The coach also revealed that he would determine the sequence of penalty takers, rather than leaving the decision entirely to the players if the match extends to that stage.

Several players have experience and confidence in penalty situations. Christian Pulisic is expected to play a key role either as an opener or a last kicker. Forward Folarin Balogun, the team’s leading scorer, stands out as a reliable choice given his successful penalty history, converting 17 of 25 attempts in his career. Ricardo Pepi, who may be introduced later in the game, and midfielder Gio Reyna, who remains perfect from the spot, are also considered strong candidates. Other players such as Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Sebastian Berhalter, and Alex Freeman have demonstrated willingness and composure in shootouts under pressure in international competitions.

Goalkeeper Matt Freese, nicknamed "Matty Ice," is regarded as a potential game-changer in a shootout scenario. Freese is noted for his specialized knowledge of penalty kicks, having conducted detailed research on goalkeeper techniques and shooter tendencies during his time at Harvard. His ability to read opponents and make crucial saves was on display in the U.S. team’s recent shootout victory over Costa Rica, where he stopped three attempts.

Historically, the United States is 6-5 in penalty shootouts, including recent wins against Canada and Costa Rica. Notably, the team has yet to face a shootout in a World Cup match, a statistic that could either continue or end depending on Wednesday’s outcome.

As the U.S. prepares for its next challenge, penalty kicks stand as a potential deciding factor, testing the composure, skill, and strategy of a team eager to advance in the tournament.