Late Goal Secures Turkey Victory
The United States men’s national team experienced a 3-2 defeat against Turkey in their final World Cup group stage match. The decisive goal came from Kaan Ayhan in the final moments of the game, marking an end to the US team’s perfect record in the tournament. Despite the loss, the USMNT had already secured the top spot in Group D, ensuring their progression to the knockout stages.
The match, held in front of 70,492 fans at Los Angeles Stadium, saw the US take an early lead through defender Auston Trusty. However, Turkey responded with two goals in the first half from Arda Güler in the 10th minute and Orkun Kökçü in the 31st minute, giving them a temporary advantage. This marked the first time the US had trailed in the tournament.
The US team equalised shortly after half-time with a volley from Sebastian Berhalter. Despite creating additional opportunities that could have altered the outcome, they were unable to find a third goal. The late winner from Ayhan, following a cross from Güler, ultimately sealed the victory for Turkey.
Pochettino’s Squad Rotation and Post-Match Reaction
Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the USMNT, made significant changes to his squad for the match against Turkey. Weston McKennie was the only player to retain his starting position from the previous matches against Paraguay and Australia. This rotation was possible because the team had already secured their position as group winners. Pochettino also faced limitations due to a quad injury to Cristian Roldan, which kept the Seattle Sounders captain out of training.
Pochettino addressed questions regarding the team’s performance and momentum following the loss, expressing his satisfaction with winning the group. He highlighted that the primary objective of the match, beyond winning, was to provide Christian Pulisic with valuable playing time after his return from injury. Pulisic, who had sustained a calf injury in the opening match against Paraguay, entered the game in the 58th minute and showed good movement, creating several dangerous moments for the US.
During his post-match press conference, Pochettino took issue with the tone of some questions, reminding the media that the team had successfully won their group. He stated, “It cannot be possible that Turkey celebrates three points, Australia celebrates getting through, Paraguay celebrates getting through… for you to not say congratulations for winning the group, it’s a little bit sad.” He reiterated, “I need to remind everyone we won the group, sorry guys, we won,” before concluding the conference.
Looking Ahead to the Knockout Stage
Despite the defeat, the USMNT’s focus now shifts to the round of 32, where they are set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina. This upcoming match will take place in Santa Clara, California, next Wednesday. The team’s performance in the group stage, including their record for most goals scored in a single World Cup game and two consecutive wins, provides a foundation for optimism.
The return of Pulisic from injury is considered a significant boost for the team as they prepare for the knockout rounds. His 30-40 minutes of play against Turkey allowed him to build fitness and demonstrate his impact on the pitch. McKennie also commented on the team’s mindset, suggesting that the defeat would serve as a motivator for the upcoming challenges.
Pochettino expressed confidence in his squad, stating, “We’re a much better team now than we were before. That will be put to the test next game.” The US technically achieved its best-ever group-stage performance with six points, matching the 1930 team’s record, though the scoring system for wins has changed since then.
The team will aim to collectively learn from the recent loss and sharpen their approach for the demanding knockout stages of the tournament, with their next fixture scheduled for Wednesday, July 2.
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Source: theguardian.com
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Joel Kavanagh is a Sports News Writer at News-GB. He started on a Midlands sports desk. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from De Montfort University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Leicester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight calendar. “In sport news, the first ten minutes decide everything.”