Mauricio Pochettino is bubble-wrapping his best players. The USMNT head coach confirmed on June 24 that four starters sitting on yellow cards will be benched for the team’s final group-stage match against Turkey on June 26, prioritizing knockout-round availability over a result the team doesn’t strictly need.
The protected quartet: defender Chris Richards, wing-back Antonee Robinson, midfielder Tyler Adams, and forward Folarin Balogun. One more booking for any of them would trigger an automatic suspension, potentially sidelining them when the stakes actually matter.
Why Pochettino can afford to gamble on the group stage
The US has already punched its ticket to the knockout rounds, which begin on July 1. Pochettino called it an “easy decision.” Playing your best XI in a match you don’t need to win, only to lose a key midfielder or your starting striker for the Round of 16, would be coaching malpractice.
The four players he’s resting aren’t fringe contributors. Robinson has been one of the most dangerous wing-backs in the tournament. Adams anchors the midfield. Balogun is the primary goal threat. Richards provides defensive stability.
