Christian Pulisic was on the bench again today, so the answer to Is Pulisic playing today was no at kickoff for the United States against Turkey. He was still working his way back from a calf injury as the United States men's national team closed group-stage play in the 2026 World Cup.
Pulisic on the bench again
For Mauricio Pochettino, the setup was clear: Pulisic was not in the starting lineup for a match that came at the end of group-stage play. The United States had already lined up a path to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, and this game carried the look of one more step before that turn.
Tim Weah started on the left wing, Joe Scally was at right back, and Auston Trusty was on the left side of defense. Those choices show how Pochettino moved the lineup around while keeping Pulisic available on the bench rather than in the opening XI.
Los Angeles crowd and anthem
The game still had the feel of a major occasion in Los Angeles. The crowd was ready to rock for the anthem, and Tim Ream spoke yesterday with a handful of reporters about how special those moments have been for United States players.
He said, "I’ve got goosebumps, actually, thinking about it. I’ve never heard guys say that the national anthem has made them emotional. And listen, LA, I could have shed a tear. Seattle, I could have shed a tear. I was like, ‘maybe I’m the only one, I’m old, I’m sentimental, I’m near the end.’" Ream added, "(But) leaving both of those places, to hear guys say that it’s moving them, it’s making them feel a certain way — guys who are, 22, 24, 26 (years old), who are feeling these things while the national anthem is playing. It’s everything that we’ve been discussing. It’s everything that Mauricio has tried to instill, how important it is to represent the country, the badge, and your nation. And guys are feeling that."
Turkey, United States, and what comes next
Turkey wore white with red trim, while the United States wore all navy. Gio Reyna’s kickoff punt hit the corner flag and stayed in play, a small detail that set the tone for a match that was still being treated with urgency even at the end of group-stage play.
For the United States, the real question is how much Pulisic can take on as he comes back from the calf injury. The roster choice kept him in the matchday picture without pushing him into the starting role, and that leaves Mauricio Pochettino’s side with one more lineup decision hanging over the round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
