Turkey
USA
Already through and already top of Group D, co-hosts USA close out the group stage against an eliminated Turkey side at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday. A win would give the Americans three straight World Cup victories for the first time in their history, while Turkey, beaten by Paraguay last time out, are playing solely for pride under a manager who'll likely depart once the tournament's over for them.
Turkey — The Crescent-Stars
Vincenzo Montella stays in charge for this one despite Turkey's elimination, and a win would be his side's first since beating co-hosts South Korea in the 2002 third-place play-off. Kenan Yildiz has shaken off a calf strain and features in the lineup pencilled in here, which has Ugurcan Cakir in goal behind a back four of Ferdi Kadioglu, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Merih Demiral and Mert Muldur. Ismail Yuksek and Hakan Calhanoglu sit in front of them, with Yildiz, Arda Guler and Baris Alper Yilmaz supporting Kerem Akturkoglu up top. Calhanoglu can move level with Tuncay Sanli for third on Turkey's all-time scoring list, and Cakir could move into fourth on the all-time clean sheet list with one more shutout. Some reports had a different look entirely, with Salih Ozcan and Yunus Akgun coming in and Deniz Gul leading the line instead of Akturkoglu, but the version above is what's actually pencilled in.
Turkey haven't scored in two straight games and are in danger of going three without a goal for the first time since 2010-11. They've also failed to win either of their last two World Cup group games after taking the lead, which feels academic given they've yet to find the net this tournament at all.
USA — The Stars and Stripes
Mauricio Pochettino can become the most successful American manager in World Cup history with a win here, surpassing Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley's mark of two tournament victories apiece. With top spot long since secured, Christian Pulisic is expected to be rested again, and Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson, all one yellow card from a suspension, could also be managed carefully. The lineup pencilled in here has Matt Freese in goal, a back four of Max Arfsten, Tim Ream, Auston Trusty and Alex Freeman, and a midfield of Malik Tillman, Adams, Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest behind a front two of Ricardo Pepi and Balogun.
The USA have scored in the opening 15 minutes of both their games so far, the first host nation to do that in their first two matches since France in 1938, and have completed 77.5% of attacking-third passes across the tournament. Balogun, with two goals already, can become the first American to score three or more in a single World Cup since Bert Patenaude in 1930.
Predicted Lineups
Group D Permutations
USA have already topped Group D, having beaten both Australia and Paraguay. Turkey's elimination was confirmed after their loss to Paraguay. The real jeopardy is in the simultaneous Paraguay vs Australia match: Australia qualify as runners-up with at least a point there thanks to their healthier goal difference (62% to progress per Opta), while Paraguay have to win outright to go through automatically (38%).
Key Battle
Ricardo Pepi vs Turkey's makeshift back line. With both teams' fates already sealed, this is as much about individual performances as the result. Pepi and Balogun both fancy adding to their tournament tallies against a Turkish defence that's already shipped goals for fun this tournament.
Prediction
Turkey have nothing left to play for and have looked toothless in front of goal all tournament, while the USA's confidence and home support should carry them to a routine win even with the changes expected.
Turkey 0–2 USA — Pepi, Balogun
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