USMNT World Cup Lineup vs. Türkiye: Pulisic Still TBD; Balogun Won't Start
The U.S. men's national team will sit out four regular starters – midfielder Tyler Adams, striker Folarin Balogun, defender Chris Richards, and fullback Antonee "Jedi" Robinson – in its World Cup group stage finale against Türkiye.
All four of those players have received a yellow card in the previous game and to not risk a second – and therefore an automatic suspension for the Round of 32 knockout match – USA manager Mauricio Pochettino will go with other players in his starting lineup.
Folarin Balogun will not start for the USA vs. Türkiye to not risk getting another yellow card (Getty Images)Folarin Balogun will not start for the USA vs. Türkiye to not risk getting another yellow card (Getty Images)
The other major question will be whether star forward Christian Pulisic will play in Thursday's game at Los Angeles Stadium. Pulisic sat out the 2-0 win over Australia after having suffered a calf injury in the 4-0 victory over Paraguay.
"I’m feeling good," Pulisic said on Wednesday at practice. "I’ve obviously joined the team in the last few days, so I’m feeling good, positive going into it, and hopefully I’ll be able to play a part tomorrow."
The U.S., winner of Group D, is aiming to finish with a perfect record in the group stage. After Thursday's match, it will play next in the round of 32 on July 1 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The projected opponent for that game is Bosnia and Herzegovina, who finished in third place in Group A. That has yet to be officially confirmed.