From meaningful to meaningless. That’s how quickly fortunes can change in the World Cup but don’t tell the U.S. men’s national team that their final Group D match against Turkey in Inglewood, Calif., on Thursday doesn’t matter — even though in reality that’s the case.
The match had been pegged pre-tournament as the most difficult for the U.S. and under dire circumstances could have meant the difference between advancing to the knockout round or going home.
Instead, Turkey (0-2-0, 0 points) are already eliminated while the Americans (2-0-0, 6 points) — after convincing victories over Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0) — have won the group and are set for a round of 32 match on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif.
The match against Turkey can afford U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, if he desires, to evaluate his depth by sitting players in yellow-card peril while possibly giving star winger Christian Pulisic some playing time after recovering from a left calf injury. He was pulled at halftime against Paraguay on June 12.
Pulisic said Wednesday that he will be able to play.
“I’ve obviously joined with the team in the last few days, so I’m feeling good, positive going into it and, hopefully, I’ll be able to play it hard tomorrow,” he said.
Although there will be lineup changes, it would be a mistake to think the Americans are looking past Turkey.
“Just because we are through doesn’t mean we have to let our foot off the pedal,” forward Alex Zendejas said. “We have to keep on going with that same confidence, same rhythm and keep showing each other and the world what this team is made of.”
Still, with Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson all with one caution and facing suspension in the round of 32 if they receive another against Turkey, it would be risky to play them.
“Of course I want to play,” Balogun said “But it’s also important to be smart. I wouldn’t want to pick up a yellow card and miss the round of 32.”
Turkey will be playing for pride after losing 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to Paraguay. In the latter, Paraguay was down a player for the second half. By any measure, this World Cup has been a failure.
“We are very sad, we are ashamed. We apologize to all our people,” Turkish midfielder Arda Guler said.
However, Turkish Football Federation president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu gave coach Vincenzo Montella a vote of confidence on Monday.
“We will stand by this team’s coach, and we will stand by its players,” Haciosmanoglu said.
That’s of no concern to the Americans, who look to maintain momentum.
“You don’t want to go into a knockout round having a bad feeling of how the last game went,” defender Max Arfsten said. “Although we have advanced, I don’t think it changes anything in terms of preparation or mentality. I just think it’s very important to try and continue to ride the wave of good performances.”
• Group E: Germany vs. Ecuador at East Rutherford, N.J.: Germany (2-0-0, 6 points) have won the group. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck will miss the remainder of the World Cup with an ankle injury sustained in the 2-1 win over Ivory Coast on Saturday. Ecuador (0-1-1, 1 point) will be eliminated if they lose to Germany and Curacao wins or ties vs. Ivory Coast.
• Group E: Curacao vs. Ivory Coast at Philadelphia: Ivory Coast (1-1-0, 3 points) will be runner-up with a win or tie but will finish fourth and be eliminated with a loss and an Ecuador win. For World Cup debutante Curacao (0-1-1, 1 point), there are several scenarios to finish second with the simplest being a victory and Ecuador failing to beat Germany.
• Group F: Japan vs. Sweden at Arlington, Texas: Japan (1-0-1, 4 points) need only to draw against Sweden (1-1-0, 3 points) to at least finish runner-up and advance out of the group. Star attacker Takefusa Kubo (knee) will miss a second straight match for Japan. If the Swedes win, they will move to the round of 32 and still have a chance to advance even with a loss.
Group F: Tunisia vs. Netherlands at Kansas City, Mo.: Netherlands (1-0-1, 4 points) is tied with Japan in points and goal differential but leads in goals scored (7-6). A Dutch victory and Japan tying or losing gives them the top spot. Tunisia (0-2-0, 0 points), who are already eliminated, have been outscored 9-1.
Group D: Australia vs. Paraguay at Santa Clara, Calif.: Australia (1-1-0, 3 points) need only a draw to advance because they hold the goal differential edge (zero to minus-2) over Paraguay (1-1-0, 3 points). Paraguay, in the World Cup for the first time since 2010, must win to claim second place but could still advance with a draw or even possibly a loss.
–Field Level Media
