The United States will close their World Cup group stage against Turkey at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night with the group’s hierarchy already settled. Two commanding victories—a 4-1 dismantling of Paraguay and a 2-0 win over Australia—have secured top spot for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, while Turkey arrive in Inglewood eliminated after failing to score in defeats by Australia and Paraguay. The dead rubber shifts focus from qualification arithmetic to the fitness of Christian Pulisic and the depth of the American squad.

Pulisic, who lit up the opening win over Paraguay with a dynamic first-half display, was withdrawn at the interval after aggravating a calf injury and missed the Australia match entirely. The forward told reporters in Los Angeles that he feels “great” and expects to feature, though Pochettino is unlikely to risk him for a full ninety minutes. Four other starters—Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, and Folarin Balogun—are one yellow card away from suspension, a factor that, viewed from the US camp, reinforces the case for rotation. Turkish media note that Yunus Akgün is ruled out through injury, while Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız, the young talents who had raised expectations of a first knockout appearance in 24 years, will have a final chance to salvage pride.

Across the tournament, the American performance has been one of the early narratives. The back-to-back wins represent the team’s best start to a World Cup since 1930, and the margin of victory over Paraguay, combined with the controlled display against Australia, has generated cautious optimism in domestic coverage. Analysts in Europe point out that the US have not reached a quarter-final since 2002, and the expanded 48-team format offers a path to a deep run on home soil. Pochettino, speaking before the Turkey match, stressed the importance of maintaining momentum while acknowledging the need to manage his squad.

Turkey’s campaign, by contrast, has been defined by profligacy. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances against Paraguay, they fell to a 1-0 defeat against ten men, having earlier lost 2-0 to Australia. The failure to convert opportunities has been a recurring theme in Turkish press assessments, with the team’s return to the World Cup after a two-decade absence ending in anticlimax. For the US, the match offers a chance to test Alejandro Zendejas and other squad players who have yet to feature, while keeping the rhythm of a winning side intact.

The result will not alter the group standings, but it will shape the American approach to a last-32 tie in Santa Clara against a third-placed qualifier, likely Bosnia and Herzegovina. Elsewhere, Germany and Mexico have also completed perfect group campaigns, while South Africa’s historic progression and Scotland’s anxious wait for a best third-placed slot underline the tournament’s broadening competitive base. For the US, the evening in Los Angeles is less about the scoreboard and more about arriving at the knockout phase with a full complement of key players.