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The US national team will have the rare opportunity to play a World Cup game with nothing at stake for either team. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have already secured Group D victory, while their opponents Türkiye have already been eliminated and will exit the tournament after the match.
There are many factors that Pochettino will consider when putting together his lineup for this game. Which players need rest? Which players will 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 unable to participate in the critical knockout game in the round of 16.
Here’s a look at who will enter the starting lineup, who will remain in the starting lineup, who will enter the game and the tactics to use:
USA vs. Türkiye: Which formation should Pochettino use?
The tactics used by Pochettino have evolved over the past year and much of it has centered around a mostly consistent line-up at the back, with Tim Ream, Alex Freeman and Richards playing most of the games.
With a heavily rotated squad, Pochettino may choose to keep things simpler. On top of that, the American team is limited in central midfield, with Adams set to sit and Roldan’s health questionable.
Pochettino can be difficult to predict in situations like this (when few saw Ricardo Pepi and Balogun start together against Australia), but a 3-4-3 formation makes the most sense given the players at his disposal.
It is unknown how Türkiye will play in this game. When a team predicted to go far suffers an early elimination before its final game, it can go a number of different ways. Some teams unravel and simply want to go home. Other teams are determined to leave the tournament with some pride and play well. The American team should expect the best from Türkiye, which will make it a very difficult test.
Which American players should get their first start?
Marseille’s right winger/right back should start this match to see how he reacts to his current adversity. The longtime veteran was a starter in 2022 and scored a goal in the opening game of that tournament. Right now, he is further down the pecking order in Pochettino’s team. He should be hungry and looking to make a statement with every minute he gets.
The versatile Leeds United striker always brings intensity and effort when he plays. With Premier League, World Cup and Champions League experience in his career, he could bring leadership to a makeshift lineup.
Pochettino has praised Berhalter’s professionalism, and Berhalter is wise to stay within the tactical structures. He has played enough minutes with this team over the last year to have an understanding of what Pochettino wants. Without many central midfield options, Berhalter is certainly needed in the starting line-up.
The Columbus Crew veteran has been a permanent man for Pochettino at left back when Antonee Robinson could not play, which was all of 2025. With Robinson out, Arfsten is logical.
If Pochettino wants to rest or use Alex Freeman and Sergino Dest as substitutes, Scally is the logical choice at right wing-back.
The Philadelphia Union product and current Toulouse central defender is the most logical player to come into the lineup in the center instead of Richards.
Trusty has seen an increasing role in the team since the autumn, providing a three-man backline with a left-footed option in place.
Robinson hasn’t had a great year in 2026 for club or country, but if mass changes are to happen, Robinson is likely to return to the back line on the right.
Which American players should remain in the lineup?
Freese won’t start in this game, but he hasn’t faced many shots through the first two games. This game can help keep him in a rhythm with more important games on the horizon.
It was always a concern who would start in the defensive midfield role if Tyler Adams couldn’t play. With Roldan also battling injury, McKennie might get the nod after playing in an attacking position in the first two games. Pochettino has often praised McKennie’s versatility and it might make sense for him to use it.
The PSV Eindhoven forward came off the bench in the first leg but started the second leg alongside Balogun in a two-striker setup. But Pepi is more than capable of being effective as a single striker with this team. He often thrived in a role at PSV Eindhoven, scoring 19 goals this season as the club won the Eredivisie and advanced to the Champions League knockouts.
Which American players will be substitutes?
The health of the AC Milan star is the most talked about story around this team. All signs point to him being close to a full return, but bringing 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 at 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 play to continue to keep Reyna in a rhythm to help offensively.
The Coventry forward could be a top attacking option off the bench without Balogun in the lineup.
He is a very different attacking player to Aaronson, but he gives the team a left-footed option that can be in midfield or out wide. He hasn’t played much under Pochettino, but they might find a use for him here.
Roldan has been popular within the team for years and this is his second World Cup team. The Seattle midfielder has had an injury this week, but if he can get on the field at the end of this game, the team would love it as he did not come off the bench in Qatar.
