4 hours ago
IRVINE, Calif. — The U.S. World Cup team — Group D winners, "Country Roads" revelers, nation healers — resumed training Monday at Great Park Sports Complex, freed from the anxiety that most sides carry into their opening-stage finales.
One compulsory exercise remains, Thursday against Türkiye at SoFi Stadium. No matter what occurs, the Americans know they will play in the Round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara, California.
Who they'll play, however, remains unresolved. It will be a third-place team from one of five groups, to be determined this week.
Aside from last-place Türkiye, the U.S. has turned its attention to Annex E of the FIFA Rules and Regulations, which, through 495 scenarios, spells out the eight matchups between group winners and third-place teams.
"I don't really understand mathematically … who we play," striker Folarin Balogun said. "Whoever I get told to prepare for, I'm just going to go out there and prepare for that stuff. I just focus on the present."
One compulsory exercise remains, Thursday against Türkiye at SoFi Stadium. No matter what occurs, the Americans know they will play in the Round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara, California.
Who they'll play, however, remains unresolved. It will be a third-place team from one of five groups, to be determined this week.
Aside from last-place Türkiye, the U.S. has turned its attention to Annex E of the FIFA Rules and Regulations, which, through 495 scenarios, spells out the eight matchups between group winners and third-place teams.
"I don't really understand mathematically … who we play," striker Folarin Balogun said. "Whoever I get told to prepare for, I'm just going to go out there and prepare for that stuff. I just focus on the present."
