IRVINE, Calif. — The U.S. World Cup team, known for their Group D triumph and catchy anthem “Country Roads,” stepped back onto the practice field at Great Park Sports Complex on Monday, relieved from the pressure usually faced before crucial group stage matches.
However, one mandatory task remains: a match against Turkey on Thursday at SoFi Stadium. Regardless of the outcome, the U.S. is guaranteed a spot in the Round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara, California.
What remains unclear, however, is their first opponent in that knockout round. It will be one of the third-place teams from various groups, a detail to be settled later this week.
With Turkey at the bottom of the table, the U.S. team is now focusing on the guidelines outlined in The FIFA Rules and Regulations document, which outlines numerous scenarios for matchups between group winners and third-place teams.
“I don’t really grasp the math behind it… whoever the coaches tell me to prepare for, I’ll be ready,” striker Folarin Balogun expressed. “Right now, my focus is on the present.”
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This intricate arrangement emerged following FIFA’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams this year. Two teams from each of the 12 groups will advance, along with eight third-place teams. While most progressing teams know their bracket placements, the FIFA regulations will dictate the matchups for third-place finishers.
This means the U.S. faces a largely meaningless match against Turkey—likely to include a roster of substitutes—while also strategizing for the upcoming knockout match, set for six days later at Levi’s Stadium. Possible adversaries could include Bosnia, Qatar, Ecuador, and Senegal.
Winger Alex Zendejas emphasized that despite the low stakes of Thursday’s match, it still bears importance in building confidence for the future. “We talked in the group: just because we’ve advanced doesn’t mean we should ease up. We need to maintain our confidence and rhythm to showcase what this team is all about.”
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The U.S. has had an incredible start to this tournament. For the first time in modern history, they’ve won their group after only two matches, previously facing elimination after just two games. This stress-free position is unprecedented.
Regardless of the upcoming opponent in the Round of 32, the Americans will enter as favorites, a role they are not typically accustomed to in knockout rounds. In past tournaments, they were underdogs, with varying degrees of success against teams like Mexico in 2002 (which they won) and Ghana in 2010 (which they lost), alongside notable losses to Brazil in 1994, Belgium in 2014, and the Netherlands in 2022.
“Our goal is to win the group finale,” Balogun remarked. “Three wins in a row would mark a historic achievement and send a positive message not just to ourselves but to other teams as well.”
With low stakes, head coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to rotate players for a few reasons:
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Key players like center back Chris Richards, left wing back Antonee Robinson, defensive midfielder Tyler Adams, and Balogun are on yellow cards—another would rule them out for the Round of 32, making it unnecessary to risk their participation.
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The opportunity to prevent injuries and fatigue will likely lead to other starters getting less time or resting altogether.
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Pochettino aims to keep his substitutes active and engaged after relying largely on the same lineup in previous matches.
Midfielders Sebastian Berhalter and Gio Reyna may be among those stepping in effectively, having had limited playtime in the initial games. Additional defensive options include center backs Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, and outside back Joe Scally, who are yet to see substantial minutes.
Midfielder Cristian Roldan would be the natural choice to fill in for Adams, though he was absent from Monday’s training due to a muscle strain and is considered day to day. Pochettino may need to get creative if Roldan is unavailable.
In addition, star forward Christian Pulisic, who has been sidelined with a calf injury since the first match against Paraguay, recently participated in limited training, including running. However, it remains uncertain whether he will see action on Thursday, especially after being a spectator during the previous match.
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Yet, not playing could mean Pulisic would be without competitive minutes for a stretch of 19 days, which raises concerns about match readiness.
Pulisic has not addressed the media since his injury, and Pochettino is not set to hold another press conference until Wednesday at SoFi Stadium.
“It’s challenging when you’ve got a minor knock during a crucial tournament; everyone desires to be at full strength,” Zendejas remarked. “Much of the focus is on keeping his spirits up rather than discussing injuries; shifting the conversation to other topics helps him cope better.”
With first place securely in hand, Pulisic’s immediate availability is not a pressing concern.
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Although Pochettino plans to integrate other players, retaining team momentum and flow is vital, especially following an offensive run that has pressured opponents significantly, even resulting in two own goals. The U.S. has netted six goals—just shy of their total from five matches during the 2002 quarterfinal run.
A further victory would not only elevate team morale but also resonate positively with fans across the nation. While the players largely keep to themselves, spending time at their seaside hotel and the training hub about 30 minutes away, they are aware of the excitement and support building around them.
“I’m trying to wrap my head around it all, but America is such a vast country,” said Balogun, who grew up in England. “Weston [McKennie] has been showing me clips of fans in different places… None of us can fully grasp this while immersed in it, but once it’s over and we return to our everyday lives, we will understand our impact. It’s a beautiful experience.”