The United States men’s national team experienced a 3-2 defeat against Turkey in their final World Cup 2026 group stage match. The game, held in Los Angeles Stadium in front of 70,492 fans, saw Turkey secure a victory with a late goal from Kaan Ayhan. Despite the loss, the US had already clinched the top spot in Group D and will advance to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the knockout stage.
The USMNT had previously made history in the tournament, scoring their highest number of goals in a single World Cup game and achieving two consecutive wins for the first time in the modern era. However, the match against Turkey presented a different challenge, with the team facing adversity in key moments.
First Half Struggles and Equaliser
The US started the match strongly, taking an early lead through a goal from defender Auston Trusty. This marked the third consecutive game in which the US scored an early goal. Trusty’s strike came from a corner kick, where he found himself unmarked despite a difficult angle, and he celebrated by embracing coach Mauricio Pochettino.
However, Turkey quickly responded. Arda Güler equalised in the 10th minute, capitalising on a defensive breakdown. Güler, described as a Real Madrid star, made a penetrating run and finished past Matt Turner. Later in the half, Orkun Kökçü extended Turkey’s lead in the 31st minute, following a pattern play that left Joe Scally out of position. This marked the first time the US had trailed in the tournament.
The defensive struggles in the first half were noted, with the US reverting to a flat back four formation, a setup that had previously caused issues in a March friendly against Belgium. The team’s midfield also seemed to lack the fluidity seen in earlier matches, partly due to a quad injury to Cristian Roldan, who was unable to train during the week.
Second Half Fightback and Late Drama
After half-time, the US displayed a renewed intensity, pressing more aggressively and tightening their defensive play. This shift in energy quickly led to an equaliser from Sebastian Berhalter, who scored with a well-hit volley from an uncleared corner. Berhalter immediately sought to restart play, demonstrating the team’s desire for a third goal.
Despite creating several additional opportunities, including two chances from substitute Christian Pulisic, the US was unable to find a winning goal. One sequence saw Pulisic’s deflected effort hit the crossbar, followed by Weston McKennie’s shot being blocked. McKennie was the only player to start all three group games for the USA and was later substituted for Malik Tillman.
The match took a dramatic turn in stoppage time. Auston Trusty, who had scored the opening goal, was injured and remained on the field, forcing the US to play effectively with 10.5 players. In the 95th minute, Kaan Ayhan scored the winning goal for Turkey, following good work from Güler who evaded two defenders and delivered a cross. This late goal secured Turkey’s 3-2 victory.
Looking Ahead to the Knockout Stage
Despite the defeat, the US had already secured their progression to the knockout rounds. The team will now prepare to face Bosnia and Herzegovina. The match against Turkey saw coach Mauricio Pochettino rotate his squad almost entirely, with Weston McKennie being the sole starter from previous games against Paraguay and Australia.
The performance against Turkey has raised questions for the USMNT as they head into the crucial knockout stage. However, there were also positives, such as Pulisic’s return from injury and his bright performance as a substitute. The team’s collective approach and the lessons learned from this defeat could potentially sharpen their mindset for the upcoming challenges in the World Cup knockout rounds.
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Source: theguardian.com
Daniel Fairbrother is the Senior Football Correspondent at Latest News UK, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with over a decade of reporting experience. He spent eight years on the football desk of a Yorkshire daily before moving into national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Leeds, he watches non-league football and runs a five-a-side league. “The best football stories are won in the week, not on the whistle.”