The United States men’s national team is set to conclude its World Cup 2026 group stage play against Turkey at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Having secured the Group D crown with two prior victories, the U.S. team will be looking to maintain its perfect record in the tournament. Turkey, having been eliminated after two defeats, will be playing for pride.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 10 p.m. ET, which is 7 p.m. PT local time. Fans in the U.S. can watch the game on FOX or stream it via Fubo. The atmosphere around SoFi Stadium is expected to be lively, with a packed venue anticipated despite the game being inconsequential to the U.S. team’s advancement.
Squad rotation and injury updates
Coach Mauricio Pochettino has indicated that he plans to make significant changes to the starting lineup. This decision is partly influenced by the fact that four players—Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, and Folarin Balogun—have received yellow cards in previous matches. Playing them would risk suspensions for the knockout stage, as the slate for yellow cards is wiped clean after the group stage.
Pochettino emphasized the importance of ensuring that players on the field are fully committed, stating that he needs to be sure the team playing will approach the game as if it were a final. He also mentioned that the team’s strong performance in the group stage provides an opportunity to manage player conditions better ahead of the next phase of the tournament. This includes giving some players a rest, especially those who have had long or injury-affected seasons.
Christian Pulisic, who missed the victory over Australia due to a calf injury, is fit to play and will start on the bench. He sustained a calf injury during the tournament opener against Paraguay, which led to his withdrawal at halftime. Pulisic had been undergoing modified training sessions before returning to full training earlier in the week. He expressed feeling good and hoped to be involved in the match against Turkey.
Midfielder Cristian Roldan will not be available for the match. He picked up a muscle strain during training on Saturday and is listed as injured. Pochettino noted that Roldan has a small issue in his quad but is evolving well, with hopes for his availability in the following week.
Tactical considerations
The U.S. team will feature changes to its starting lineup from the Australia game. This tactical flexibility allows Pochettino‘s side to adapt, potentially dropping into a deeper 4-4-2 formation to utilize fast, dangerous players as outlets, such as Timothy Weah on the right.
Turkey is expected to play an attacking game, given their elimination from the tournament. Their tactical approach involves fullbacks pushing forward, three center-backs building from deep, and a single defensive midfielder, typically Ismail Yuksek, offering short passes. Key ball progressors like Arda Guler and Hakan Calhanoglu are anticipated to drop deep to create opportunities, while winger Kenan Yildiz will look to run at defenders. Turkey‘s attacking play often centers on isolating Yildiz, who demonstrated a positive and impactful nature in the final third during the last season.
The U.S. team, known for its sharp and brave passing out of the back, has employed various systems under Pochettino, primarily switching between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-2-1. This proactive style, while prone to errors if passes are not executed precisely, allows the team to leverage its attacking firepower. The USMNT is most likely to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in its round of 32 game, which is scheduled for July 1 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
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Source: nytimes.com
