{"id":3476,"date":"2026-06-24T14:06:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T14:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=3476"},"modified":"2026-06-24T14:06:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T14:06:17","slug":"the-us-men-are-advancing-so-how-do-they-approach-their-group-stage-finale-vs-turkey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=3476","title":{"rendered":"The US men are advancing, so how do they approach their group-stage finale vs. Turkey?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What to do? Multiple options, multiple decisions. <\/span><\/p>\n

The United States men\u2019s soccer team never has been in this position, having secured a place in the second round of the World Cup with a preliminary match remaining.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more International journalists walk a fine line at the World Cup. And they break some unspoken rules.<\/a><\/p>\n

Thanks to victories over Paraguay and Australia in their first two outings, the cohosts not only have advanced, they\u2019ve clinched the top spot in Group D.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

So Thursday night\u2019s finale against Turkey in Los Angeles, once viewed as the featured match of the foursome, is meaningless. The Crescent-Stars, having been blanked twice, already are eliminated. For the Americans, a victory, defeat or draw is irrelevant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus the choices for coach Mauricio Pochettino. Should he play to win to keep his squad\u2019s momentum going? Which lineup should he field? How many starters should be rested? How many should play and for how long?<\/span><\/p>\n

The Yanks never have had that luxury. Since they returned to the global stage in 1990, they\u2019ve been knocked out of the tournament before the group finale or had to get a result or some outside help.<\/span><\/p>\n

This time, they not only have the benefit of playing the long game, they need to. The United States can\u2019t afford to have key players injured or suspended for a second yellow card in an inconsequential match against an opponent with nothing to lose.<\/span><\/p>\n

Four starters \u2014 striker Folarin Balogun, midfielder Tyler Adams, and defenders Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson \u2014 are sitting on yellows. Another would keep them out of the next match.<\/span><\/p>\n

Christian Pulisic, the team\u2019s mainspring, hasn\u2019t played since halftime of the Paraguay opener after coming off with a tight calf muscle. He finally practiced with his mates this week and apparently is fit to go. But should he?<\/span><\/p>\n

The United States was able to live without him in the Australia match, where Ricardo Pepi stepped in and performed capably alongside Balogun.<\/span><\/p>\n

But if Pulisic is held out rather than have him risk reinjury, he will not have seen action in 18 days when he takes the field on July 1 for the next match.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should Pochettino use him against the Turks so that Pulisic can regain his rhythm under fire? If so, for how long? The first half? The first half-hour? Until Pulisic feels his calf start to seize up?<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s probably prudent to leave him on the bench. The Americans showed that they could win without Pulisic against rivals who customarily struggle to score.<\/span><\/p>\n

But they won\u2019t see teams like that in the second round and beyond, so they\u2019ll need the man who makes them tick up front. Pulisic simply has to be available.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more Appeasing Jaylen Brown after Giannis trade fell apart should be a priority for the Celtics<\/a><\/p>\n

So do the four men who\u2019ve already been cautioned. Balogun, who scored twice against Paraguay, is the top sniper. Richards is the best defender. The United States can\u2019t risk having them out of commission for a knockout match.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, Pochettino has reliable alternates. Sebastian Berhalter and Gio Reyna came off the bench in both previous matches and can handle a 90-minute assignment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tim Weah, a 2022 starter who\u2019s also seen action, can step in, too. And Matt Turner, the keeper four years ago, can give Matt Freese a break in goal. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe versatility of this team is insane,\u201d said Adams.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since the United States didn\u2019t have to qualify for the tournament, Pochettino was able to look at dozens of candidates in action and use a variety of lineups in friendly matches since the autumn of 2024. So he should feel comfortable mixing and matching against Turkey.<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, the Americans should play to win. No Cup contender wants to go into the second round off a loss, even in a contest that doesn\u2019t matter. But the match matters greatly to the Turks, who never dreamed that they\u2019d be two-and-out.<\/span><\/p>\n

They finished third in 2002, the last time they qualified. They were European quarterfinalists two years ago. They were expected to advance and possibly win this group. Losing to the Aussies, 2-0, and to the Paraguayans, 1-0, despite playing the second half a man up, was shattering. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe should have won these games,\u201d said forward Arda Guler. \u201cEverybody\u2019s sad; everybody\u2019s crying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beating the Americans in front of a full house on their home turf would allow the Crescent-Stars to head home with some measure of consolation. And they have the advantage of having nothing more to lose.<\/span><\/p>\n

So the Turks can play with abandon and take out their frustration against a rival that can\u2019t risk retaliation. The Americans, who \u201cdon\u2019t take [expletive],\u201d will have to resist the instinct to rumble should proceedings grow chippy.<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019ll need to be smart and stoic on Thursday, because there are more important encounters ahead. Playing the long game in a five-week tournament is what the contenders do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Winning the first two matches, which the Yanks hadn\u2019t accomplished since 1930, earned them that opportunity \u2014 and the options that come with it. That\u2019s an unprecedented, and well-earned, perk. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more NATO\u2019s Trump whisperer heads to the White House to soothe the president ahead of next month\u2019s summit<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Should Mauricio Pochettino play to win to keep his squad\u2019s momentum going? How many starters should be rested? 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