U.S. coach Pochettino, with group lead clinched, rests nine starters vs. Turkey
On Thursday night, for the first time in World Cup history, the U.S. team entered its final group stage game with the group lead already clinched and a game to spare.
No need to monitor other games. No need for calculators. No need to stress.
Team USA won Group D after victories over Paraguay and Australia, and regardless of the result of Thursday’s game against Turkey, the Americans will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on Santa Clara, California, on July 1 at 8 p.m.
Knowing the match against Turkey had no effect on the tournament standings, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino made nine lineup changes to give other players a chance to showcase themselves, and to let his starters rest, avoid injury and make sure the four players carrying yellow cards did not get suspended for the opening game of the knockout round.
Defender Auston Trusty made an immediate impact, scoring in the third minute to give the U.S. team an early lead. Sebastian Berhalter provided the assist on a cross after a corner kick. It was the second-fastest goal scored by a U.S. team in World Cup history. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, erupted, but the celebration was shortlived.
Turkey’s Arda Guler, who plays for Real Madrid, scored the equalizer at the 10-minute mark and Orkun Kokcu put Turkey ahead 2-1 in the 31st minute, finishing a cross from the left. It was the first time Team USA trailed during this World Cup.
The Americans came out energized in the second half and a Berhalter banger from the edge of the penalty area tied it up 2-2 in the 49th minute.
Entering the game, Turkey had taken 62 shots this World Cup without scoring a goal. They lost 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to Paraguay in the previous group games.
Pochettino went with goalkeeper Matt Turner after Matt Freese started the first two games. Turner was the starter at the 2022 World Cup, but had not yet played in this Cup.
He went with a completely new back four with defenders Trusty, Miles Robinson, Mark McKenzie, and Joe Scally. Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson were carrying yellow cards.
Tyler Adams had a yellow card, so he sat. Cristian Roldan was injured. Sebastian Berhalter and Gio Reyna got their first starts at midfield, joining Weston McKennie, who was one of just two starters back in the lineup from the last game. McKennie wore the captain’s armband.
Folarin Balogan also was carrying a yellow, so he did not start. Pochettino went with Brenden Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi, and Tim Weah up front. Pepi started the Australia game in place of injured Christian Pulisic, who recovered from his calf injury and was available to play Thursday, but began the game on the bench.
Pulisic entered the game to a rousing cheer at the 58-minute mark, replacing Tim Weah. Reyna lifted the ball into the penalty area for Pulisic, who brought it down and won a corner kick. A few minutes later, Pulisic got into scoring position from the left side and his shot was saved by Turkey keeper Ugarcan Cakir.
South Florida resident Alex Freeman, who started the first two games and had a goal and assist, came off the bench in the 77th minute in place of Scally. Sergino Dest replaced Reyna and Alex Zendejas went in for Aaronson.
Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson made their World Cup debuts.
This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 10:16 PM.