The U.S. Men’s National Team has already locked up first place in Group D. The knockout round is guaranteed. And yet, nobody in camp is treating the final group stage match against Turkey like a dead rubber.
Two wins in two games — a 2-0 shutout of Australia in Seattle capped it — put the Americans in a position most World Cup teams would kill for. Paraguay’s win over Türkiye knocked the UEFA side out of the tournament, so there’s no advancement drama on the line Thursday night at Los Angeles Stadium. But the words coming out of USMNT training this week suggest this group wants more than just a spot in the Round of 32.
They want a three-game sweep.
“Everyone’s happy that we’ve already advanced,” defender Max Arfsten said. “But at the same time, regardless of if we’ve advanced or not, training is still very competitive and intense. That’s the culture that the coaches created. No matter what, everyone’s still trying to prove something.”
The word floating around Orange County Great Park this week is “momentum.” Not in a cliché way. More like a genuine understanding that a loss — even a meaningless one — can mess with a team’s head before the knockout round starts.
“You don’t want to go into a knockout round with a bad feeling of how the last game went,” Arfsten said. “Although we have advanced, I don’t think it changes anything in terms of preparation or mentality. So I think it’s very important to try and continue to ride the wave of a good performance.”
Midfielder Alex Zendejas echoed that. “Even though it has no effect, it still does because it gives you that confidence for what’s coming next. Just because we’re through doesn’t mean we have to let our foot off the pedal. We have to keep on going with that same confidence, same rhythm and keep showing each other and the world what this team is made of.”
Personal stakes for the backups
There’s a practical side to this, too. The U.S. could rotate. Four starters — center back Chris Richards, fullback Antonee Robinson, midfielder Tyler Adams, and leading scorer Folarin Balogun — are sitting on one yellow card each. FIFA wipes single yellows after the group stage, but a second yellow here means a one-game suspension in the knockout round.
So expect some changes. And that means opportunity. Goalkeeper Matt Freese has played every minute so far and posted the eighth clean sheet in USMNT World Cup history. But if either Matt Turner or Chris Brady gets the nod, it’ll be their World Cup debut. Same for field players like Arfsten, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Cristian Roldan, Zendejas and Brenden Aaronson.
“I’m personally more focused on preparing myself to be able to compete and win our third group stage game, which is important to continue the momentum,” Freese said.
Turkey isn’t a pushover
Don’t let the elimination fool you. Turkey came into the tournament on an eight-match unbeaten run and gave the U.S. a 2-1 loss in East Hartford just over a year ago. They’ve generated 62 shots in two matches but haven’t found the net. That’s a lot of pressure that could break through against a rotated U.S. lineup if the Americans aren’t sharp.
“Regardless of whether or not they’re eliminated, it’s a strong group and a competitive group,” Freese added. “I played them in my debut, so I’m familiar with them. We’re focused on ourselves.”
The vibe in camp isn’t anxious. It’s hungry. The USMNT has never started a World Cup with three straight wins. That matters to this group — not as some footnote, but as a real tool heading into a knockout bracket where confidence can carry a team deep.
“We’re all aware that it’s not going to be an easy game,” Arfsten said. “They have quality players. We’re not taking anybody lightly, regardless of the circumstances. We’re looking forward to it.”
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