ST. LOUIS | The United States men’s national team left its final World Cup group-stage match with a useful warning: rotation can protect legs, but it can also expose the thin places in a tournament roster.
Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes against Türkiye, a choice that reflected the larger assignment in front of the U.S. side. The Americans had already done enough to look toward the knockout round, and several regular starters were managed as the staff tried to balance freshness, rhythm and injury risk.
The result was uneven. CBS Sports reported that the United States opened quickly through Auston Trusty, who scored early in his first World Cup start, but Türkiye answered and eventually handed the Americans a 3-2 loss. The match did not erase the stronger work the United States had done earlier in the tournament, but it did show how different the team can look when several first-choice players are not on the field together.
Rotation gives the staff useful evidence
For Pochettino, the match was less a verdict on the full-strength U.S. team than a stress test for the depth chart. A rotated lineup gave minutes to players who may be needed later in the tournament and gave the staff a clearer look at which combinations can survive knockout-stage pressure.
Sebastian Berhalter was one of the more useful data points. CBS Sports highlighted his set-piece involvement on Trusty’s early goal and his second-half equalizer. That matters because knockout matches often turn on dead-ball execution, second balls and midfield composure more than long stretches of open attacking play.
The defensive questions were harder to ignore. Türkiye created enough pressure to punish mistakes, and the late result prevented the United States from closing the group stage with a clean finish. For a team trying to make a deeper World Cup run on home soil, the match offered a practical warning: depth is valuable, but structure has to travel with every lineup.
Pulisic’s return matters more than the scoreline
The more important development for the United States may have been Christian Pulisic’s return. He came on in the second half after missing the previous match with a calf issue, and CBS Sports reported that the U.S. attack looked more dangerous after his introduction.
That does not mean one player fixes every concern. It does show why Pulisic remains central to how the United States wants to play. His movement changes defensive attention, his pace opens space on the left side, and his availability gives Pochettino more flexibility in the Round of 32.
The staff also managed minutes for other regulars, keeping the larger tournament picture in mind. That approach carries risk in a single result, but it can be reasonable in a group finale when the next match has more consequence.
What remains unclear
The main question is whether the United States has enough reliable depth to absorb a suspension, fatigue issue or minor injury later in the knockout stage. Thursday’s loss suggested the answer may depend heavily on which position is affected.
The next test will be sharper. Knockout matches remove the cushion that group play provides. Pochettino now has to decide how much of the Türkiye match was simply the byproduct of rotation and how much should influence his trusted bench group going forward.
What to watch next
Watch the U.S. lineup choices for the Round of 32, especially at center back, fullback, central midfield and the wide attacking spots. Pulisic’s workload will also matter after his return from the calf issue, as will the staff’s willingness to use Berhalter in situations where set-piece delivery and midfield control could decide a tight match.
Additional Reporting By: CBS Sports; CBS Sports; CBS Sports