USMNT Is Cruising, but Mauricio Pochettino Has a Big Decision to Make
USMNT Is Cruising, but Mauricio Pochettino Still Has Big Decisions to Make
Things could not be going any better for the Stars and Stripes after their first two World Cup group games. But there’s plenty to consider heading into the business end of the tournament. Sophia Vesely|
Well, this is uncharted territory. The U.S. men’s national team is approaching its final match of the World Cup group stage ... and isn’t fighting for its life.
The Stars and Stripes have got off to a historic run on home soil this summer, cementing the top spot in Group D with a match to spare after dismantling both Paraguay and Australia. Thursday’s finale against Türkiye has absolutely no implication on the tournament standings, with the Crescent-Stars already packing their bags for home.
So, what does USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino do? The U.S. has never been in this position before, making him poised to set a standard. Does he play every key starter like normal? Does he try something wild? Pochettino is known for his love of experimentation, but how far will he go on soccer’s grandest stage?
Familiar Formation, Change of Personnel
Pochettino will likely opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation, the setup the USMNT used against Türkiye in June 2025, the last time the teams clashed. It is also the formation that Türkiye employs, making for a balanced encounter.
The first thing Pochettino must consider when piecing together his lineup is yellow card status. There are four players who enter the Türkiye game with a yellow card to their name: Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun.
These four will be walking on eggshells. If one receives another yellow card in Matchday 3, he earns a suspension, forcing him on the bench for the pivotal round of 32. Per FIFA’s new World Cup regulations, though, all yellow cards will be wiped away at the end of the group stage and then again after the quarterfinals. This means that the four Americans simply need to get through the Türkiye match without getting written up, and their slates will be wiped clean.
What’s the best way for them to get through the Türkiye match unscathed? Don’t play.
USMNT’s Projected Lineup vs. Turkiye
Sure, this quartet forms the core of Pochettino’s starting lineup and could drastically influence the game. That is all the more reason to keep them on the bench. Don’t risk them in a game with absolutely no bearing, to then perhaps lose them for a game that has all the bearing in the competition.
Ricardo Pepi, who starred alongside Balogun in a two-striker system against Australia, is more than capable of being the lone striker. He dominated for PSV Eindhoven last season, scoring 16 goals across 16 starts in the Dutch Eredivisie. Goals may be Balogun’s life source, but Pepi is no stranger to the back of the net.
Adams will be the hardest of the four to replace. The Bournemouth star is by far Pochettino’s strongest option in defensive midfield, and he anchors the center of the pitch. He is, however, the one who needs a spot on Thursday’s bench the most.
Not only is he in suspension territory, but Adams also has taken some serious knocks across the last two matches, even causing him to sit out of training last week due to “load management.” Pochettino made a risky move by including so few true midfielders in his World Cup roster. Risky is one thing, foolish is another. Now is not the time to drive his main No. 6 straight into the ground.
Adams will need to be at full strength for the round of 32, or the USMNT’s likelihood of advancing deeper could be seriously threatened. He has big shoes to fill, but Sebastian Berhalter will likely be tasked with trying. Despite his relative lack of international experience, Pochettino trusts him in the midfield, and Berhalter does play as a deeper-lying midfielder for his club Vancouver Whitecaps.
Richards also needs rest as much as he needs yellow card prevention. After a serious ankle injury late last month with club side Crystal Palace, the center back jumped right back into the fire, starting and playing 90 minutes in both World Cup matches. Mark McKenzie can take his place at right center back, as he did during the pre-tournament friendlies while Richards was still recovering.
Robinson’s electricity down the left flank will be hard to replicate, but Max Arfsten is capable. The fullback has yet to make his World Cup debut but has the tools to impress with his tactical versatility and seamless transitions.
Pick Your USMNT Starting XI!
Pochettino is typically creative and may see Thursday as a rare opportunity to trial even more players ahead of the knockouts, in which the fatigue of the tournament starts to set into players’ bodies. Joe Scally, who earned a few minutes against Australia, could slide into right back, giving the heroic youngster, Alex Freeman, 21, some much-needed respite. Matt Turner could get the nod in between the sticks. He does, after all, have plenty of World Cup experience.
The Argentine boss would be foolish to play Christian Pulisic, who was sidelined with calf pain for the Australia game after a tremendous performance against Paraguay. Even though the U.S. Soccer poster player is back to training, there is no reason for Pochettino to rush his recovery for this match. An extra week’s recuperation could do wonders for his availability in the knockout stage. Giovanni Reyna, another one of Pochettino’s surprise favorites off the bench, has played in that winger position before and could get the go-ahead against Türkiye.
Regardless of how experimental Pochettino is, he may be reluctant to leave Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman out of the starting lineup. The midfield duo are the focal points of attacking progression and could prove key to still walking away with three points. A perfect group stage record would do wonders to build even more confidence and momentum for the knockout stage, a factor Pochettino will have to weigh against giving his stars a necessary break from center stage.
READ THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC
Published 1 hour ago | Modified 1 hour ago
SOPHIA VESELYSophia Vesely is a writer, reporter and editor for SI FC, with an emphasis on North American coverage. Her experience comes from regional journalism as a former sports reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, Dallas Morning News and Seattle Times. Vesely graduated from Swarthmore College, where she played collegiate soccer as a wingback. She specializes in MLS, NWSL and NCAA soccer.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
