US look to keep World Cup momentum going against eliminated Turkey

LOS ANGELES, June 23 : The United States will look to maintain their momentum and protect several key players from suspension when they face already-eliminated Turkey in their final World Cup Group D match at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday.

The Americans secured top spot with back-to-back wins to open their campaign, including a 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle on Friday that ended with a sold-out crowd serenading the team with John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads."

The mood was far different later that day in Santa Clara, where Turkey's hopes were extinguished with a 1-0 defeat by Paraguay, their second straight scoreless outing in a tournament marked by the side's wasteful finishing.

Although the match is effectively a dead rubber, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino still has decisions to make, with forward Folarin Balogun, midfielder Tyler Adams and defenders Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson all carrying yellow cards.

Any player booked twice during the three group-stage matches is suspended for the next game, meaning Pochettino is likely to rest or limit the minutes of the quartet before the U.S. begin the knockout stage on July 1 in Santa Clara.

PLAY PULISIC?

That could open the door for fringe players to press their case, while also giving Pochettino a chance to manage the fitness of talisman Christian Pulisic.

The forward has not played since coming off at halftime in the opener against Paraguay with a left calf injury, although he returned to full team training this week.

Pochettino started Ricardo Pepi in his place against Australia and must now decide whether to give Pulisic minutes against Turkey or hold him back as a precaution.

The U.S. players said on Tuesday they were determined not to let their