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The United States national team will have the rare opportunity to play a World Cup match with nothing at stake for either team. Mauricio Pochettino’s team has already secured victory in Group D, while its rival, Türkiye, has already been eliminated and will leave the tournament after the match.
There are many factors that Pochettino will want to consider when putting together his lineup for this game. Which players need rest? Which players need to play?
To state the obvious, there are four players who started the first two games and are on yellow cards: Tyler Adams, Chris Richards, Antonee “Jedi” Robinson and Folarin Balogun. These players should not play against Türkiye and risk being ineligible for the decisive round of 32 knockout match.
Here’s a look at who should enter the starting lineup, who should stay in the starting lineup, who should enter the game, and the tactics that should be used:
United States vs. Türkiye: What formation should Pochettino use?
The tactics Pochettino has been using have evolved over the past year and much of it has centered around a mostly consistent backline lineup with Tim Ream, Alex Freeman and Richards playing the majority of the games.
With a squad with a lot of turnover, Pochettino could choose to simplify things. On top of that, the US team is limited in central midfield, Adams needs to sit out and Roldán’s health is questionable.
Pochettino can be difficult to predict in situations like this (as few saw Ricardo Pepi and Balogun start together against Australia), but a 3-4-3 formation makes the most sense given the players he has at his disposal.
It is unknown how Türkiye will play in this match. When a team that is expected to go far suffers an early exit before its final game, it can take different paths. Some teams fall apart and just want to go home. Other teams are determined to come out of the tournament with some pride and play well. The American team should hope for the best from Türkiye, which will be a very difficult test.
Which US players should get their first start?
Marseille’s right-back/right-back needs to start this match to see how he responds to his current adversity. The veteran started in 2022 and scored a goal in the opening game of that tournament. At the moment, he is further down the pecking order of Pochettino’s team. He should be hungry and looking to make a statement with the minutes he is given.
Leeds United’s versatile attacker always brings intensity and effort whenever he plays. With Premier League, World Cup and Champions League experience under his belt, he could provide leadership to a makeshift lineup.
Pochettino has praised Berhalter’s professionalism and Berhalter does well to stay within the tactical structures. He has played enough minutes with this team over the past year to understand what Pochettino wants. Without many options in central midfield, Berhalter is certainly needed in the starting lineup.
The Columbus Crew veteran has been a regular for Pochettino at left back whenever Antonee Robinson was unable to play, which was throughout 2025. With Robinson out, Arfsten makes sense.
If Pochettino wants to rest or use Alex Freeman and Sergino Dest as substitutes, Scally is the logical choice at right-back.
The Philadelphia Union product and current Toulouse center back is the most logical player to enter the lineup in the middle instead of Richards.
Trusty has seen an increasingly important role within the team since the autumn, and gives a three-man backline an option on the left foot.
Robinson hasn’t had a great year in 2026 for club or country, but if there are to be massive changes, Robinson will likely return to the right-sided backline.
Which US players should remain in the lineup?
Freese doesn’t have to start this game, but he hasn’t faced many shots in the first two games. This game could help you keep pace with bigger games on the horizon.
It was always a concern who would start in the defensive midfield role if Tyler Adams couldn’t play. With Roldán also battling an injury, McKennie could get the nod after playing in an attacking position in the first two games. Pochettino has frequently praised McKennie’s versatility and it could make sense for him to utilize it.
The PSV Eindhoven striker came off the bench in the first match, but started the second alongside Balogun in a two-striker setup. But Pepi is more than capable of being effective as a lone striker on this team. He often excelled in his role with PSV Eindhoven, where he scored 19 goals this season as the club won the Eredivisie and advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Which US players should be substitutes?
The health of the AC Milan star is the most talked about story surrounding this team. All signs point to him being close to a full return, but having him off the bench seems to make sense as Pochettino can evaluate the game and see if it is appropriate to give Pulisic minutes.
While Renya made his first start of 2026 against Senegal in a pre-World Cup friendly, his role in this World Cup is as an attacking substitute and with a makeshift lineup, everyone will be asked to contribute more defensively. But this is still a good game to keep Reyna in rhythm and help out offensively.
The Coventry striker could be one of the best attacking options off the bench without Balogun in the lineup.
He is a very different attacking player to Aaronson, but gives the team a left-footed option who can play in midfield or on the wings. He hasn’t played much under Pochettino, but they could find use for him here.
Roldán has been popular within the team for years and this is his second World Cup team. The Seattle midfielder has been dealing with an injury this week, but if he can get on the field at the end of this match, the team would love it, since he didn’t come off the bench in Qatar.
