Los Angeles: USA prepare for Turkey clash with eye on round of 32
USA prepare for final group stage match
The United States men’s national team (USMNT) is set to face Turkey in their final World Cup group stage match in Los Angeles. Despite having already secured their spot as group winners, the team is focused on maintaining their winning momentum. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has indicated that he will make strategic changes to the lineup, particularly to protect players who are on yellow cards.
Players such as Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, and Folarin Balogun are expected to sit out the match against Turkey to avoid accumulating further yellow cards that could lead to suspensions in the knockout stages. Christian Pulisic is available for selection, though it is not yet confirmed if he will start or come off the bench. Cristian Roldan is also being evaluated for a quadriceps issue.
The decision to rotate the squad allows other players to demonstrate their capabilities and ensures the team is in the best possible position for the upcoming round. Pochettino emphasised the importance of every player being ready to perform, stating that the team on the field needs to approach the game with intensity, as if it were a final.
The atmosphere at Los Angeles Stadium is described as boisterous, with fans filling the seats. Despite the lack of tension regarding qualification for the USMNT, there is a sense of optimism surrounding the team’s performance in the tournament so far. The USA has won its first two games convincingly, while some other tournament favourites have faltered.
Turkey’s tournament journey concludes
For Turkey, the match against the USA marks the end of their World Cup campaign, as they have already been eliminated from the tournament. This early exit came as a surprise, especially given their strong statistical performance in terms of expected goals (xG) and big chances created. Head coach Vincenzo Montella expressed his disappointment but affirmed his commitment to the team.
The match could see Turkey playing with a desire to make a statement before departing the tournament. Despite their elimination, players like Arda Güler, a 21-year-old midfielder from Real Madrid, and Kenan Yıldız, a teammate of Weston McKennie at Juventus, are notable for their estimated transfer values.
The officiating crew for the match includes referee Mustapha Ghorbal from Algeria, alongside assistant referees Mokrane Gourari and Abbes Akram Zerhouni. The video assistant referee (VAR) will be Antonio Garcia from Uruguay.
Looking ahead to the round of 32
With their group stage success, the USMNT is now preparing for the round of 32, where they are highly likely to face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1. This potential matchup became clear after Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Qatar. While the team is focused on the immediate challenge against Turkey, preparations for the knockout stage are also underway.
The path forward for the USA in the tournament appears to involve facing a third-placed team in the round of 32, most likely Bosnia. A victory in that match would lead to a fixture against either the winner of Group G, potentially Egypt or Iran, or another third-placed team. A possible quarter-final opponent could be Spain.
Pochettino highlighted that winning the group has provided the flexibility to manage the squad effectively, ensuring players are fresh and ready for the demanding knockout phase. The team aims to secure a third victory in the group stage before fully shifting their attention to the challenges of the next round.
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Source: theguardian.com
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
