Turkiye, Paraguay Meet in 0-Point Group D Clash as FanDuel Favors Turkiye at +105

Q: Should the USMNT rest an injured Christian Pulisic even if winning the group is still at stake?

Yes. The USMNT should rest Christian Pulisic unless he is fully fit, even if Group D is not mathematically secured. The key issue is risk management. Pulisic is dealing with a calf injury serious enough to keep him out of the Australia match and limit him to modified training. Calf problems are easy to aggravate, and a minor issue can quickly become a tournament-threatening one if a player returns too soon. Mauricio Pochettino has already signaled caution, saying he expects Pulisic back for the Türkiye game but could hold him out if the group is already decided. The U.S. can afford that caution because its position is strong. It already has six points, a 4-1 win over Paraguay, and a 2-0 win over Australia. If Paraguay avoids defeat against Türkiye, the Americans win the group without needing Pulisic. Even if Türkiye wins and the group remains open, the broader objective is not just topping the group but having the team’s best attacker available for the knockout rounds. There is also evidence the U.S. can cope without him. The team beat Australia comfortably in his absence, with Balogun, Reyna, Adams and others carrying the attack and midfield. That depth reduces the need to force Pulisic back early. Winning the group matters because it can improve the knockout path. But losing or worsening Pulisic for the Round of 32 and beyond would be a bigger cost. Unless medical staff are confident he is fully recovered, the smarter decision is to protect him.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Jun 20

Friday's 8 p.m. ET match at Levi's Stadium pits two Group D teams on zero points after opening losses left little margin for error.
Turkiye fell 2-0 to Australia despite 72%-28% possession and an 8-4 edge in shots on goal, suggesting stronger underlying play than the result showed.
Paraguay opened with a 4-1 loss to the United States, managing just one shot on goal to the Americans' six as coach Gustavo Alfaro called it a "very painful lesson."
FanDuel lists Turkiye at +105, Paraguay at +280 and the draw at +240, with a 2.5-goal total and analyst Brad Thomas projecting a 3-1 Turkiye win.
The result could also shape the wider group race: the United States can lock up first place Friday if Paraguay avoids defeat.