Pochettino benches yellow-card risked USMNT stars to protect knockout readiness

With the US atop Group D, Mauricio Pochettino is benching four starters on yellow cards (Richards, Adams, Balogun, Robinson) to avoid a suspension in the Round of 32. The plan prioritizes rhythm, health, and full squad availability for the knockout phase, even as Balogun and Adams push back against restricting play. Pochettino insists on players who will ‘eat grass’ and play with World Cup final intensity while weighing injuries, workload, age, and recovery as the squad heads to Levi’s Stadium for July 1.