Can the US maintain group stage momentum into knockouts?

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The United States can carry their Group D form into the knockout rounds by winning against Turkey after clinching top spot
The United States have clinched top spot in World Cup Group D with a game to spare after beating Paraguay and Australia, and they will look to keep that momentum in their Thursday match against already eliminated Turkey in Los Angeles. Forward Christian Pulisic says going into the knockout rounds will “definitely feel better with a win” and urges the team to “keep their foot on the accelerator.” The US have not reached the quarter-finals since 2002, but their strong start has raised hopes of a deep run on home turf.
The US have already secured first place in Group D
The US finished Group D top after consecutive wins over Paraguay and Australia, and they did so with one match still left to play in the section. With Turkey already eliminated, the US are entering the final group-stage game on the back of that confirmed position.
Pulisic links momentum to a win before the last 32
Pulisic, who has recovered from a calf injury that previously limited him to 45 minutes at the tournament, directly pressed for intensity ahead of the knockout stage. He said the US will “push for it” because a win would make the transition into the knockout rounds feel better.
Rotation and discipline could shape the US lineup
The US co-hosts may rest some first-choice players in Los Angeles, with Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun at risk of missing the next round if they pick up another yellow card. That means the team’s approach to sustaining performance could be influenced by rotation and card management.
The knockout picture raises the stakes after a long quarter-final gap
The US have not reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup since 2002, and the current run of results has revived expectations for a deeper tournament on home turf. A win in the final group match is framed by Pulisic as a way to enter the knockouts on a high note, even while noting that it is still a World Cup game where the team wants to give its best.

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Can the US maintain group stage momentum into knockouts?

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