The U.S.'s group stage finale could provide the perfect laboratory for some crucial experiments. IRVINE, Calif. – Prior to the World Cup, the U.S. men’s national team’s group finale against Turkey was expected to be anything but a dead rubber. Instead, the USMNT find themselves in a unique position, having punched their ticket to the knockout rounds of a World Cup with a game to spare, while Turkey have been eliminated. It’s a strange situation.