U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that any player who has accumulated a yellow card will be left out of the starting lineup for the final Group D encounter with Turkey.
The decision comes after the United States secured first place in the group, but Pochettino stressed that the team must maintain a winning mentality as they head into the knockout stage.
A Tactical Decision
Among those sidelined are defenders Chris Richards, left‑back Antonee Robinson, midfielder Tyler Adams and forward Folarin Balogun, all of whom have been booked earlier in the tournament.
Christian Pulisic, the team’s leading scorer, is still nursing a calf strain and his availability remains uncertain, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the lineup.
Turkey’s Redemption Drive
Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella, despite his side’s two defeats, believes his squad possesses the quality to compete and is eager to prove that belief on the field.
The Turkish camp has faced criticism from fans and media, but Montella says the players are focused on turning that scrutiny into motivation.
For the United States, the match offers more than a tactical exercise; it is a chance to ride a wave of unprecedented public support that has turned the team into a national sensation in a sport that traditionally takes a back seat.
Stars such as Pulisic are now appearing in mainstream television advertisements, becoming household names and drawing attention far beyond the usual soccer‑only audience.
Pochettino highlighted that this surge in popularity represents a significant shift from earlier times, underscoring the growing cultural impact of the sport in the country.