Pulisic starts on bench for U.S.; Turner in goal for group finale - ESPN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — United States men's national team attacker Christian Pulisic remained on the bench for the Americans' group-stage finale against Türkiye.

The U.S. lineup was announced just over 75 minutes before game time, with Pulisic listed among the substitutes. Brenden Aaronson took Pulisic's usual spot at left wing, with only Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi keeping their spots in the lineup from the previous game against Australia.

There were nine changes in all from the team that started in last Friday's win over Australia to clinch top spot in Group D. One of those changes was in goal, with Matt Turner getting the start over Matthew Freese, who started the first two games for the U.S.

Pulisic has been battling a left calf injury since sustaining a knock June 10. He attempted to play through the injury two days later, but was limited to 45 minutes of play against Paraguay when he was kicked in the same place.

Pulisic was then forced to sit out the Americans' second group stage match, which the USMNT won 2-0 over Australia. He returned to full training this week.

«I'm feeling good. I joined the team the last couple days, and yeah, I'm hoping to play a part in [Thursday] for sure,» he told reporters Wednesday. He added that he's «probably not ready» to play 90 minutes.

At the time of the calf injury, the thought was that Pulisic wouldn't miss much time. But the injury dragged on for a bit. He said it was a different experience watching and supporting rather than playing.

«It was obviously a different set of emotions for sure, not being able to play, but I enjoyed just being on the sideline, being around the team,» he said. «I wanted to be there and yeah, just still living that World Cup dream. I obviously just