Türkiye face USA in dead rubber with all-time record at stake

A dead rubber with something to prove

Türkiye are out, and tonight it is about pride. Vincenzo Montella has the backing of TFF president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu (4), but a flat performance in Los Angeles against the United States changes nothing for the better. The final Group D fixture kicks off Thursday evening at Los Angeles Stadium (4). Algeria's Mustapha Ghorbal has the whistle (4).

Montella expected to rotate hard

With elimination confirmed after the 1–0 defeat to Paraguay, this is a chance to see the squad depth. Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Arda Güler, and Kenan Yıldız all travelled, but Montella can give minutes to players who have not featured yet (4). A squad valued at €473.7 million should not be flying home without a single win.

Matt Freese: we are not sleeping on Türkiye

US goalkeeper Matt Freese warned his teammates before the match: do not underestimate Turkey (3). The Americans are already through and could hand Alex Zendejas a World Cup debut (4). Freese is not treating this like a friendly.

Five places up for grabs in the all-time table

There is one tangible stake left. A win against the USA would lift Türkiye five places in the all-time World Cup points standings (5). That is not nothing. It puts names like Çalhanoğlu and Güler higher up a list that outlasts any single tournament.

Sergen Yalçın has a warning for Arda Turan

Sergen Yalçın did not hold back. The former Beşiktaş manager told Arda Turan, currently coaching in Turkey, not to return to the national team setup (6). The warning came without elaboration, but Yalçın rarely speaks without knowing something.