Already group winners, USMNT have one game left

The GIST: Thirteen days ago, we were just hoping the U.S. would make it out of their group. Now, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has this team and country dreaming big.

• Poch insists the goal is still to go undefeated in group play, but now he can get creative with the lineup in service of resting injuries, avoiding yellow card bans, and getting other players WC minutes.

🌟 Looking back, a lot went right against Australia. The opening goal was the first time in WC history a team benefited from an own goal in two consecutive matches, but it was far from a fluke. Forward Folarin Balogun raced into the box, while overlapping runs from Sergiño Dest and Ricardo Pepi created chaos for the Aussie defense. TYSM, Socceroos.

• Defender Alex Freeman doubled the lead just before half with a commanding header, a true thing of beauty for several reasons: a Black man scoring on Juneteenth, the celebration being so raucous it registered as an earthquake, and the USMNT scoring a goal in the waning minutes of a half instead of surrendering one.

🟨 While we love watching them, tonight’s game hopefully won’t feature Balogun, midfielder Tyler Adams, or defenders Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson. All have one yellow card and a second would mean a one-match ban. With many familiar faces potentially out, some new ones can step into the spotlight.

• 🔴 Matt Freese | Goalkeeper: Freese has two saves from three shots on goal all tourney but with Richards and Robinson most likely out, he can expect more of a test against Türkiye.

• ⚪ Gio Reyna | Midfielder: Reyna dazzled with his goal in the opening game and came on as a late sub against Australia. If he gets the start against Türkiye, expect him to make the most of it and prove his value before the knockout rounds.

• 🔵 Sebastian Berhalter | Midfielder: After coming on as a sub in the first two games, Berhalter should get the start today. Poch praised Berhalter’s work ethic and stamina in the lead up to the tournament and will likely rely on him to hold down a midfield that’s been excellent thus far.

The GIST: Türkiye finished third at their most recent WC appearance back in 2002 and had high expectations this time around. But the reality was much crueler: Two stunning upsets eliminated the Crescent Stars before their final group stage game even started. They’ll be looking to salvage a little pride in these final 90 minutes.

🫣 Despite their 2–0 opening loss to the Aussies, Türkiye were very much alive ahead of last week’s tilt vs. Paraguay. That was until roughly 64 seconds in when they allowed the game’s first and only goal. Outside of that blip, Türkiye maintained 78% possession and put up 32 shots, although just five were on target.

🥅 That barrage of shots is something the USMNT can expect to see today with these two leading the charge:

• 🔴 Arda Güler | Midfielder: Considered one of the best young players in the world, 21-year-old Güler is a star for his club team Real Madrid and will be hungry for his first WC goal.

• ⚪ Kenan Yıldız | Forward: A versatile striker who can shoot with either foot, Yıldız is quick with the ball and loves to exploit defensive mistakes, something USMNT players Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah know well from their time together at Italian club Juventus.

🔮 2025 was a prophetic year for the USMNT as they played each of their future group stage opponents. The only loss of the three was a 2–1 friendly L to Türkiye last June.

⚽ The biggest differences between Türkiye and the USMNT’s first two opponents? Australia and Paraguay were known for their defensive shape and willingness to sit back before utilizing the counter. Türkiye are more aggressive, looking to dominate possession and shoot from anywhere on the field.

• This team will be desperate for a goal, but that could also be their biggest weakness. By prioritizing the attack, they’ll leave their own goal exposed to our speedy guys up front.

⏩ Looking ahead, there is a 99% chance that Bosnia and Herzegovina will be the USMNT’s Round of 32 opponent. We’ll be back in your inbox with another gameday preview for that fixture, of course — until then, LFG Yanks.