US Keeps Pulisic on Bench, Sends Out 9 New Starters vs. Turkey in World Cup Group Finale
Pochettino is expected to rest four players on yellow cards and give Ricardo Pepi a bigger role as the U.S. seeks a third straight win.
- On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the United States meets Türkiye in their final Group D match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The U.S. has already secured first place and a spot in the round of 32.
- Head coach Mauricio Pochettino plans a heavily rotated lineup to avoid suspensions. FOX Sports confirmed that Folarin Balogun, Tyler Adams, Chris Richards, and Antonee "Jedi" Robinson will not start; any additional yellow card triggers a one-game knockout suspension.
- Türkiye enters already eliminated and labeled one of the tournament's "biggest disappointments." The team recorded 62 shots through its first two games without scoring, despite creating significant chances in both matches.
- FOX Sports analyst Laken Litman identified Ricardo Pepi as a player to watch, with Christian Pulisic expected to see limited bench minutes following a recent calf injury. The match balances rest with preparation for knockout play.
- Maintaining momentum remains critical as the U.S. prepares for single-elimination play. The squad seeks to finish with three wins while giving important minutes to players who may be needed later in the tournament.
37 Articles
37 Articles
Pulisic on the bench as U.S., Turkey make wholesale changes
Christian Pulisic returning to pitch was ultimate goal for USMNT
Christian Pulisic is back. The man affectionately called “Captain America” didn’t start Thursday in the group-stage finale against Turkey, but his biggest contribution may have been to simply walk onto the pitch.
The Toronto Star
US keeps Pulisic on bench, sends out 9 new starters vs. Turkey in World Cup group finale
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The United States kept Christian Pulisic on the bench and sent out nine new starters for its final World Cup group match against Turkey on Thursday night with its knockout-round place already secured.
Team USA relishes historic chance to finish group stage undefeated in final match against Turkey - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports
While the United States’ men’s soccer team has already secured their spot in the knockout stage, the squad has a chance to finish the group stage undefeated, something that hasn’t happened since 1930. When Team USA and Turkey take to the pitch Thursday night, nothing for the World Cup’s knockout stage will be at stake. The Americans have already punched their ticket by winning Group D while Turkey has already been eliminated. In what’s been one …
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