Coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that he will let 4 players who have received yellow cards be sidelined in the match against Turkey to avoid the risk of being suspended in the 1/16 round of the 2026 World Cup.
The US team has definitely won the top spot in Group D, while Turkey is also officially eliminated, so the result of the match will not affect the group situation. Therefore, Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson will be given rest to preserve their forces.
I think this is a very simple decision. There is no reason to take risks with players who have received yellow cards and lost them in the next round" - Pochettino said at a pre-match press conference.
The Argentine strategist also believes that if players take the field with the worry of receiving more cards, they will not be able to play to their full potential.
I want those who take the field to play with 100% determination, as if it were a World Cup final. If you keep worrying about the risk of suspension, it is very difficult to dedicate yourself completely" - the US captain added.
In addition, Pochettino revealed that he will also consider rotating the squad. Malik Tillman may be rested after a long season at club level, while Sergino Dest and Alex Freeman are likely to be given more opportunities to play.
Regarding personnel, Pochettino confirmed that Christian Pulisic has recovered from a calf injury and is ready to play. However, the coaching staff has not yet decided whether the US captain will start or only come on as a substitute in the second half.
In the opposite direction, midfielder Cristian Roldan still leaves open the possibility of playing due to a thigh muscle problem. The Argentine coach said that the medical team will continue to assess before making a final decision.
