INGLEWOOD, CA — The U.S. men’s national team walked off the SoFi Stadium pitch with a bitter taste in their mouths Thursday night, falling 3-2 to Turkey in a group stage finale that felt anything but meaningless.
Substitute Kaan Ayhan delivered the dagger with the final touch of the match, sliding home a cross from Uzun at the back post to silence a crowd that had been roaring moments earlier. The goal came with literally the last kick of the game, turning what seemed destined for a draw into a stunning defeat.
The loss stings, but the math remains unchanged. The USMNT had already clinched top spot in Group D before kickoff, while Turkey was packing for home. Yet for a team riding high on momentum, the defeat raises questions as they prepare for a round of 32 showdown against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
The night started with promise. Auston Trusty, an unlikely hero, opened the scoring just three minutes in, taking down a corner at the back post and firing home a bouncing ball. It was the USMNT’s fourth early goal of the tournament, a pattern that had served them well.
But Turkey, winless and scoreless through two games, refused to fold. Arda Guler equalized in the 13th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Mark McKenzie, who let the ball roll past him. Orkun Kokcu then put the visitors ahead with a close-range finish after a slick passing move carved open the American backline.
Sebastian Berhalter pulled the U.S. level early in the second half with a thunderous strike from the top of the box. A long throw-in was only partially cleared, and the midfielder slammed it home at the near post, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
The Americans pushed for a winner. Christian Pulisic, making his return from a calf injury in the 58th minute, nearly scored twice — once rattling the post after a ricochet, another time forcing a save from Turkey goalkeeper Cakir. Brenden Aaronson somehow skewed a rebound wide with the goal gaping.
Then came the sucker punch.
Turkey, which had taken 62 shots in the tournament without scoring before Thursday, finally found the net three times. For the U.S., the loss snaps a winning streak and exposes vulnerabilities in a defense that had looked sturdy through two matches.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino rotated heavily, making nine changes from the Australia game. Alex Freeman, Alex Zendejas, and Sergiño Dest came off the bench, with Zendejas making his World Cup debut. Trusty left the field briefly after twisting his ankle but returned to finish the match.
The result may be academic, but the warning signs are clear. Bosnia and Herzegovina awaits, and the U.S. will need to tighten up at the back if they hope to advance deep into the knockout stages.
