Mauricio Pochettino's U.S. Men's National Team is soon set to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 -Credit:The San Diego Union-Tribune, The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty ImagesThe last time the U.S. Men's National Team won a FIFA World Cup knockout game, longtime Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel started in goal in a famous 2-0 win against Mexico in 2002.As coach Mauricio Pochettino prepares his 2026 squad for Wednesday night's game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, speculation has emerged regarding a potential contract extension for the Argentine through the 2030 cycle.Pochettino was also visibly frustrated with the U.S. media following his side's 3-2 defeat to Turkiye in the dead-rubber group-stage finale, particularly when questions arose about his future despite having already secured the USMNT's place in the knockout rounds.Uruguay out of World Cup as players forced to get commercial flightsAustralian soccer fans' anti-Donald Trump chant could spark World Cup controversySpeaking exclusively with Mirror US Sports, Friedel dismissed the potential extension as a "non-event" given its peculiar timing. The veteran USMNT goalkeeper also praised Pochettino's decision to rotate his squad against Turkiye while offering a prediction for Wednesday's game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. -Credit:Gary M. Prior, Getty ImagesOn Pochettino extension rumorsFriedel suggested the news should be set aside. "Let me put it to you, let me put it to you a different way. He managed at the same time: Neymar, Messi, and Mbappe (at PSG in 2021/2022)," he said on behalf of Sweepstakes Casino."A story about him possibly getting another four-year contract at U.S. soccer. It's just a non-like, but I mean it's a news event, because if he does it, fantastic. But he's just focused on Bosnia [right now]."That's just how he is, so all the periphery noise is sort of irrelevant, and that's why I think he was annoyed with the U.S. media, and has been annoyed with the U.S. media for a while, because they were, they were not very kind to him for long periods of time," Friedel continued, calling back to Pochettino's fiery presser.He had further praise for the USMNT coach. "What I would say is the United States would be incredibly lucky to have him for another four-year period," Friedel noted.On substitutions against Turkiye"It was managed perfectly," Friedel said of Pochettino's squad selection that saw nine changes to the starting lineup, including between the posts. "One of the most difficult things when you're managing in a tournament environment is, how do you keep the players that aren't getting minutes on board as much as possible? So, he had an opportunity to play almost all of them.To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE"He had a decision to make between Matt Freese and Matt Turner. Here, he was given a golden opportunity to play Matt Turner, so he got a game in the tournament. It was all, it was all perfect. Yes, you could break down the mistakes against a Turkish side, who conceded three goals and lost the game, but they also created a lot of chances," he noted.Bosnia and Herzegovina prediction"My prediction, I think this is going to be a much harder match than I think the U.S. fans think," Friedel said, speaking highly of Bosnia and Herzegovina."I think the players in Mauricio will know it's going to be hard. I would expect that Bosnia is going to be a little bit more direct, especially at the beginning of the match"."If Bosnia does try to play out of the back, I think that works to the advantage of the U.S. as far as score prediction. I'll give a score of U.S. two to one, hoping that it will be much, much more comfortable than that, but that'll be my prediction, because I think knockout rounds are difficult," Friedel concluded.