24.43 million viewers for USMNT record World Cup broadcast

Record 24.43 million watch USMNT advance

Your team delivered, and America watched. The USMNT round-of-32 win over Bosnia drew 24.43 million viewers, a new record for a U.S. national team broadcast. The Athletic broke the number, and it lands with weight: this is the kind of audience usually reserved for the NFL, not a round-of-32 World Cup match.

Pochettino's side now heads into the knockout stage with genuine momentum. Klopp told ESPN this is the best version of the national team in the country's history, and the panel of coaches and analysts ESPN assembled are asking whether the USMNT can be the surprise package of the tournament.

Tim Ream has kept it calm ahead of the next test. He told reporters he feels no extra burden at this stage. The squad prepared after several days off, having left their training bubble in Irvine, where players were largely cut off from the World Cup fever building outside.

Sportsbooks are feeling the heat too. Each U.S. win puts bookmakers at greater risk, analysts note, as the public money keeps rolling in on your team.

Fan reactions

The ratings have the fanbase buzzing. On r/soccer, the reaction to the 24.43 million figure is a mix of pride and disbelief: a U.S. World Cup match pulling NFL numbers. The thread is here.