In proper soccer lingo, Thursday’s clash between the U.S. men’s national team and Türkiye, their final Group D match, is a “dead rubber.” It holds no significance.The Stars and Stripes already secured the top spot in the group with dominant victories over Paraguay and Australia, promising a deep run in the World Cup this summer or, at the very least, plenty more excitement. They will be feeling cool, calm and collected heading into SoFi Stadium, perhaps a rare headspace to be in at the world’s most prestigious soccer competition.Türkiye, on the other hand, will be feeling equal parts utter dejection and desperation. The Crescent-Stars—once projected to win out the group stage—will be eager to walk away with at least one point on the board, a consolation prize to tuck into the side-pocket of their baggage before flying home.While the USMNT will omit some of its brightest stars from the starting lineup, in an effort to prevent yellow card suspension and over-fatigued legs, Türkiye will continue to employ its strongest men.Compete against the world. | SPORTS ILLUSTRATEDChristian Pulisic on the BenchChristian Pulisic was forced off early for the USMNT against Paraguay. | Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/Getty ImagesU.S. Soccer poster player Christian Pulisic will not make his return to the starting lineup on Thursday, likely in an effort to continue his recovery; however, he is rostered for the match and could make a second half appearance.“Captain America” suffered a calf injury in the World Cup opener in the first half, forcing his exit at the interval after a tremendous 45 minutes that saw him notch an assist and generate much of the team’s offensive creativity.After training individually all week, Pulisic was left off the USMNT roster in the second group stage match against Australia, replaced by striker Ricardo Pepi.USMNT Starting Lineup vs. TurkiyePochettino made heavy changes to the lineup. | Sports Illustrated.Starting XI: Turner; Trusty, McKenzie, M. Robinson, Scally; Berhalter, McKennie; Aaronson, Reyna Weah; PepiSubs: Freese (GK), Brady (GK), Richards, A. Robinson, Arfsten, Ream, Freeman, Dest, Adams, Tillman, Balogun, Pulisic, Wright, Zendejas.⚠️ Injured: Cristian Roldan (muscle injury)Turkiye Starting Lineup vs. USMNTA Millî Takımımızın, ABD karşısında sahaya çıkacak 11’i belli oldu. 🇹🇷 #BizimÇocuklar🇹🇷 | #TURUSA | #TürkÖndeTürkİleri | @TK_TR11’imiz: Uğurcan Çakır, Zeki Çelik, Salih Özcan, Orkun Kökçü, Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, Eren Elmalı, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Ozan Kabak, Barış Alper… pic.twitter.com/nm72Um3d8b— Türkiye #BizimÇocuklar 🇹🇷 (@MilliTakimlar) June 26, 2026Starting XI: Uğurcan Çakır, Zeki Çelik, Salih Özcan, Orkun Kökçü, Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, Eren Elmalı, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Ozan Kabak, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Oğuz AydınSubs: Bayindir (GK), Günok (GK), Söyüncü, Kadioglu, Ayhan, Demiral, Müldür, Akaydin, Uzun, Çalhanoglu, Yüksek, Akgün, Gül, Kahveci, AktürkogluREAD THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FCAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow