USA midfielder Tyler Adams is confident he can avoid a yellow card against Turkey tomorrow night and escape a suspension for the round of 32.
The States are already guaranteed a place in the knockout stages after impressive Group D wins against Australia and Paraguay.
The combative Bournemouth man was cautioned against Paraguay in the team’s opener but believes he can replicate his disciplined display against Australia when the USMNT come up against already eliminated Turkey in Los Angeles.
“You have to be smart in these scenarios and be able to manage the situations,” Adams told ESPN. “I did it last game and I think I can do it again.”
The decision may be taken out of Adams’ hands with Mauricio Pochettino aware that there is a yellow card amnesty at the conclusion of the group stage.
That would frustrate Adams but he accepts it is a possible scenario.
“I want to be on the field,” he added. “I think you go through all the scenarios in your head but this is football at the end of the day.
“I don’t take any game for granted, especially in a World Cup. You don’t know when you’re going to have the opportunity to be back. So, I hope I’m on the field. I hope I can avoid getting a yellow card.”
Pochettino faces a similar dilemma with influential trio Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson.
Turkey will head home at the weekend after a desperately disappointing tournament during which they have dominated games against Paraguay and Australia and emerged empty-handed. The two performances mustered 62 shots but not a single goal.
Some Turkish fans are demanding change but federation president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu is willing to give coach Vincenzo Montella another chance.
“We will stand by our coach. This isn’t a club team. Clubs fail because there’s a lack of continuity,” he said. “For the last two days, they’ve been writing about potential coaches. We won’t replace those we’ve worked with along the way with those we find along the way.
“Let’s not forget that it’s our players who brought us this far. Most of them are young. These players will carry us to future tournaments. We need to support our players.”
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Team news for Turkey v USA
Yunus Akgun remains doubtful for Turkey and Montella is likely to keep changes to a minimum despite their early exit.
Much to Adams’ dismay, Pochettino is unlikely to risk players on a booking so at least four changes are expected. Christian Pulisic is set to miss out again due to a calf problem.
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