The United States fielded a heavily rotated lineup against Turkey on June 25 in Inglewood, California, with Christian Pulisic starting on the bench. Both teams had already settled their group-stage fates before kickoff. CNA reported the starting XIs and confirmed the nine changes for the US and seven for Turkey.
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The rotations prioritize squad depth and long-term player wellness over star-driven spectacle once advancement was assured.
“Player-centered management that challenges traditional hierarchies favoring marketable talents.”
Heavy rotation after qualification signals low-stakes complacency and erodes the expectation of maximum national effort.
“Risks of treating matches as optional showcases rather than tests of resolve.”
Lineup decisions represent legitimate managerial discretion to conserve players when competitive incentives no longer apply.
“Individual agency and voluntary risk assessment over external demands for full effort.”
All three views overlook whether the changes altered on-field results and accept workload management as the sole explanation without evidence.
“Unexamined assumptions about stakes, injury data, and spectator contracts.”
Ratings by MBFC