Mauricio Pochettino: ‘Türkiye Has Our Full Respect’
Christian Pulisic is available for selection; Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun unlikely to play to prevent yellow card accumulation
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed in his pre-match press conference at Los Angeles Stadium his team’s full-hearted intent to go for three points in the USA’s group stage finale on Thursday, June 25 against Türkiye.
Tomorrow’s match has no consequences for the next round of FIFA World Cup 2026 – the U.S. has already won Group D and secured advancement to the Round of 32; Türkiye has been eliminated. Though the ‘dead rubber’ match will have no implications in the group standings or the broader tournament bracket, it’s still a World Cup match, and Pochettino does not expect either team to sit back and coast through the 90 minutes.
“When you defend your jersey, your flag, your culture, it’s always about pride,” he said. “I have no doubt that the Turkish team is going to be competitive tomorrow. They have good players. Of course, they are eliminated, but I think it’s going to be a tough game. We’re not thinking that it’s going to be a game that’s going to be easy.”
One player who will have the chance to defend the U.S. crest is forward Christian Pulisic. After being involved in both of the USMNT’s first two goals in the 4-1 rout over Paraguay, the forward sat out of the 2-0 win over Australia due to a calf injury.
Today, Pulisic told reporters he was feeling good and that he hoped to play a part in tomorrow’s match. His coach confirmed his availability but has yet to decide with the medical team whether the squad’s leader in caps could start or enter as a substitute.
“I’ve been touching the ball every day, and I’ve been working a lot,” Pulisic said. “Get a couple training sessions in, and I’ll feel ready.”
While Pulisic is available, four starters from the previous two matches are unlikely to see action – defenders Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, midfielder Tyler Adams and striker Folarin Balogun are all on a single yellow card. A second yellow card would mean serving a one-game suspension, so Pochettino said it would be an “unnecessary risk” to play these four with the team’s upcoming Round of 32 match on July 1.
“I think that is a little bit [of a] normal, easy answer not to play them from the beginning,” Pochettino said.
Pochettino also added that Cristian Roldan is questionable. The Seattle Sounders midfielder has been dealing with a minor muscle strain, but has been “evolving really well,” according to his coach. Whether the 31-year-old will be available to make his FIFA World Cup debut will be determined tomorrow.
The status of these players, both injury and yellow card alike, will create a chance for rotation for the USMNT. For that reason, the mood out of training camp has remained focused – a mixture of intensity, competition and camaraderie. Players have stressed the value of continuing the positive momentum; they are determined to conclude the group stage with a third victory and head into the knockout round of a FIFA World Cup carrying nine points for the first time in program history.
“When we think of this Türkiye side, you see a lot of good quality players,” defender Chris Richards said. “Ultimately, I remember their run in the Euros a few years ago, and they’re a really strong team. Türkiye has a good football culture. We weren’t really expecting them to be out this early, but regardless, we’re not going to overlook them. We know that they’re going to come out there and still try to get three points tomorrow. So ultimately, we need to try to win.”
“We want to win,” Pochettino added. “We want to arrive to the next stage with three victories.”