America's "Rotation Trap" — Can Pochettino's B Team Steadily Beat Turkey?

The US team has already secured first place in the group.

Pochettino said straightforwardly in the pre-match press conference: "Players with yellow cards won't start."

Pulisic, Balogun, McKennie, and Richards — all these key players are rested.

What does this mean?

It means the US starting lineup will be completely different from the first two games.

Pepi replaces Balogun, Aaronson replaces Pulisic, and Dest may start.

These substitute players are not without talent, but their level of chemistry is entirely different from the starting lineup.

More crucially, it's about the match mentality.

The US has already advanced. The players aren't thinking "how to beat Turkey" but rather "don't get injured, don't get carded, save energy for the knockout stages."

Pochettino himself said: "We have achieved what we wanted — first, advancing to the next stage, and then finishing first in the group."

He's already got what he wanted. Do you expect him to have his players go all out against Turkey?

Turkey is the exact opposite.

They have already been eliminated, with no burden whatsoever, and instead play more relaxed.

Pochettino also admitted in the press conference: "Turkey's style of play in the first two matches, even without winning, deserved more."

Even the opposing coach said that, which shows Turkey's strength is actually not bad — just bad luck plus poor finishing.

So America's "rotation" essentially voluntarily gives up part of their advantage.

Although Turkey's morale is low, facing the US B team, they absolutely have a chance to get their first point or even first win of this World Cup.

#预测世界杯土耳其VS美国