Connect with us

Sports

US likely to rest players in group stage finale vs. Turkey

Published

on

June 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, U.S.; Folarin Balogun and Antonee Robinson of the U.S. celebrate after Australia's Cameron Burgess scores an own goal and the first goal for U.S.  Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images June 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, U.S.; Folarin Balogun and Antonee Robinson of the U.S. celebrate after Australia’s Cameron Burgess scores an own goal and the first goal for U.S. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

From meaningful to meaningless. That’s how quickly fortunes can change in the World Cup.

Just don’t tell the U.S. men’s national team that their final Group D match against Turkey on Thursday in Inglewood, Calif., means nothing — even though in reality that’s the case.

The match had been pegged pre-tournament as the most difficult for the U.S. and, under dire circumstances, could have meant the difference between advancing to the knockout round or going home.

Instead, Turkey (0-2-0, 0 points) already are eliminated while the Americans (2-0-0, 6 points) — after convincing victories over Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0) — have won the group and are set for a round of 32 match on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Despite the lack of incentive for the United States, the match against Turkey could see star winger Christian Pulisic’s return from the left calf injury that forced him out at halftime of the Paraguay match. He did not play against Australia.

Advertisement

Coach Mauricio Pochettino said on Wednesday that Pulisic is consulting with the medical staff on a plan.

“I’ve obviously joined with the team in the last few days,” Pulisic said Wednesday. “So, I’m feeling good, positive going into it, and hopefully I’ll be able to play it hard tomorrow.”

The only other injury concern is a quad issue with midfielder Cristian Roldan. Pochettino said his availability won’t be known until Thursday.

Also, Pochettino said it’s “not necessary” that the players with one caution — Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson — play and risk receiving another yellow card that would result in a suspension for the knockout match on July 1.

Advertisement

“I want to play,” Balogun said. “But it’s also important to be smart. I wouldn’t want to pick up a yellow card and miss the Round of 32.”

Although there will be lineup changes, it would be a mistake to think the Americans are looking past Turkey.

“Just because we are through doesn’t mean we have to let our foot off the pedal,” forward Alex Zendejas said. “We have to keep on going with that same confidence, same rhythm and keep showing each other and the world what this team is made of.”

Advertisement

Turkey, which stood No. 32 in the FIFA World Ranking entering the World Cup, will be playing for pride after losing 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to Paraguay. In the latter, Paraguay was down a player for the second half. By any measure, this World Cup has been a failure.

“We are very sad, we are ashamed,” said Turkish midfielder Arda Guler. “We apologize to all our people.”

However, Turkish Football Federation president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu gave coach Vincenzo Montella a vote of confidence on Monday.

“We will stand by this team’s coach, and we will stand by its players,” Haciosmanoglu said.

Advertisement

That’s of no concern to the Americans, who look to maintain momentum.

“You don’t want to go into a knockout round having a bad feeling of how the last game went,” defender Max Arfsten said. “Although we have advanced, I don’t think it changes anything in terms of preparation or mentality. I just think it’s very important to try and continue to ride the wave of good performances.”

• Group E: Germany vs. Ecuador at East Rutherford, N.J.: Germany (2-0-0, 6 points) have won the group. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck will miss the remainder of the World Cup with an ankle injury sustained in the 2-1 win over Ivory Coast on Saturday. Ecuador (0-1-1, 1 point) will be eliminated if they lose to Germany and Curacao wins or ties vs. Ivory Coast.

• Group E: Curacao vs. Ivory Coast at Philadelphia: Ivory Coast (1-1-0, 3 points) will be runner-up with a win or tie but will finish fourth and be eliminated with a loss and an Ecuador win. For World Cup debutante Curacao (0-1-1, 1 point), there are several scenarios to finish second with the simplest being a victory and Ecuador failing to beat Germany.

Advertisement

• Group F: Japan vs. Sweden at Arlington, Texas: Japan (1-0-1, 4 points) need only to draw against Sweden (1-1-0, 3 points) to at least finish runner-up and advance out of the group. Star attacker Takefusa Kubo (knee) will miss a second straight match for Japan. If the Swedes win, they will move to the round of 32 and still have a chance to advance even with a loss.

Group F: Tunisia vs. Netherlands at Kansas City, Mo.: Netherlands (1-0-1, 4 points) is tied with Japan in points and goal differential but leads in goals scored (7-6). A Dutch victory and Japan tying or losing gives them the top spot. Tunisia (0-2-0, 0 points), who are already eliminated, have been outscored 9-1.

Group D: Australia vs. Paraguay at Santa Clara, Calif.: Australia (1-1-0, 3 points) need only a draw to advance because they hold the goal differential edge (zero to minus-2) over Paraguay (1-1-0, 3 points). Paraguay, in the World Cup for the first time since 2010, must win to claim second place but could still advance with a draw or even possibly a loss.

Advertisement

–Field Level Media

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Chris Newsome urges quick turnaround for Meralco after loss

Published

on

Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco guard Chris Newsome knows the Bolts can’t afford to dwell on another setback in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup.

The veteran guard stressed the importance of moving on quickly after the Bolts fell to Barangay Ginebra, 84-75, at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

Article continues after this advertisement
Advertisement

“We got to have short-term memory. It’s tough when you lose a game like that. We didn’t have momentum, we didn’t shoot well, it was one of those nights that you want to try and forget quickly,” he told the Inquirer.

“With a game on Sunday, that’s exactly what we have to do. We have to find a way to erase this one.”

Playing with a depleted lineup, the Bolts trailed from start to finish after falling behind, 18-10, at the end of the first quarter and never matched the Gin Kings’ intensity.

With a 2-3 card and a long break looming, Newsome hopes Meralco quickly shifts its focus to Sunday’s matchup against a surging Rain or Shine squad at Araneta Coliseum.

Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement

“We have to stay positive in the things that we do. We have to continue to trust what we do even if it didn’t show up today,” he said.

“Things aren’t gonna go your way all the time but we have to stay strong and keep pushing forward.”



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Advertisement


Your subscription has been successful.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Judo gold rush, Neeraj Chopra claims silver, Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

Published

on

Team India enjoyed a landmark ninth day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday, July 31. Highlighted by a historic double gold sweep on the judo mat, a podium finish in the men’s javelin throw, and a groundbreaking medal in athletics, the Indian contingent added significantly to its collection as the Games hit their climax. Team India’s medal tally stands at 23 won medals after day 9, along with 10 guaranteed medals locked in for upcoming finals.

Here is a full breakdown of how Team India performed across venues on Day 9.


Judo: Twin Commonwealth Games golds and silver mark red-letter day for Indian combat sports

Judo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: GettyJudo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: Getty
Judo – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 – Source: Getty

India’s judokas produced a standout performance at the venue, delivering one of the finest single-day displays in the country’s Commonwealth Games history.

Advertisement

Asmita Dey scripts Golden Score drama

In the women’s 48kg final, young judoka Asmita Dey displayed remarkable resilience against Canada’s Heidi Quach. After a tight bout during regulation time, the contest moved into Golden Score overtime, where Asmita executed a decisive throw to score a Yuko and secure India’s first judo gold medal in Glasgow.

Harsh Singh doubles the gold tally

Minutes later in the men’s 60kg final, Harsh Singh completed a flawless tournament run. Taking on Australia’s Joshua Katz, Harsh remained composed before scoring a crucial point in the closing moments to bag India’s second judo gold medal of the day.

Yamini Maurya earns silver

In the women’s 57kg final, Yamini Maurya added to India’s combat medal count with a hard-fought silver medal. Yamini reached the final following an emphatic 98-second Ippon victory in her semi-final bout before falling short against England’s Acelya Toprak.


Track & field: Javelin double podium and historic decathlon medal at Commonwealth Games

Neeraj Chopra takes silver; Yash Vir Singh claims bronze

The marquee event of the evening took place at the stadium in the men’s javelin throw final. Two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra registered a season-best effort of 85.83m to claim the silver medal. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage captured gold with a massive 89.75m throw.

Advertisement

Joining Chopra on the podium was teammate Yash Vir Singh, who launched a personal best throw of 85.41m on his final attempt to snatch the bronze medal and secure a 2-3 finish for India.

Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

Multi-event athlete Tejaswin Shankar turned in a heroic two-day performance across ten grueling disciplines to claim the bronze medal in the men’s decathlon with a total of 7,976 points. Shankar’s podium finish marks India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in the decathlon.


Boxing: Unbeaten semi-final sweep sends ten Indians into finals of Commonwealth Games 2026

India’s boxing squad put together a dominant session, winning all scheduled semi-final bouts to guarantee ten spots in the gold medal clashes:

  • Women’s 54kg: Preeti Pawar defeated Zambia’s Catherine Mwape via a unanimous 5-0 decision.
  • Men’s 80kg: Ankush Panghal controlled his bout against Canada’s Joshua Ofori to advance.
  • Women’s 57kg: Jaismine Lamboria notched a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) victory over Lesotho’s Rapelanf Maselela.
  • Women’s 70kg: Arundhati Chaudhary comfortably defeated Rosie Eccles of Wales.
  • Men’s 55kg: Jadumani Singh outpointed Namibia’s Philip Haoseb via unanimous decision.
  • Women’s 51kg & 60kg: Sakshi Chaudhary and Priya Ghanghas sealed victories over their respective semi-final opponents.
  • Heavyweight bouts: Lovlina Borgohain, Sachin Siwach, and Narender Berwal closed out the day with semi-final wins.

Lawn bowls and track cycling at Commonwealth Games

Here is the performance of Indian athletes at lawn bowls and track racing on day 9:

  • Lawn bowls: The men’s pairs duo of Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kumar extended their unbeaten run by defeating the Falkland Islands 2-0 in sectional play to move into the knockout rounds. In women’s singles, Nayanmoni Saikia posted a convincing 2-0 win over Zambia’s Mildred Mkandawire.
  • Track cycling: Harshveer Sekhon and Dinesh Kumar competed in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit qualification rounds but missed out on advancing to the final heat.