The U.S. men’s national soccer team appeared poised to exit group play of the World Cup without a loss, but a last-minute goal from Khan Ayhan resulted in a 3-2 defeat against Turkiye. This match unfolded on Thursday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Having secured victories in their first two games, the United States topped Group D, allowing manager Mauricio Pochettino to rest many of his starters and experiment with the wider squad. Early goals from Auston Trusty and Sebastian Berhalter set a promising tone, but the team ultimately failed to halt their loss to Turkiye.
Here’s a breakdown of the game’s events and what they imply for the U.S. as they advance to the finals.
Manager Assessment
Mauricio Pochettino receives a rating of 6 out of 10. The primary takeaway for Pochettino and his staff from the Turkiye match was an enhanced understanding of their squad’s depth. While some substitutes showed potential, others left lingering uncertainties. What seemed likely to be a draw slipped away due to a defensive lapse in the closing minutes, marking the U.S. team’s first defeat.
Player Ratings
Goalkeeper Matt Turner is rated at 3. There are arguments that he may have rushed at Arda Güler too soon, compromising his angle before the foul occurred. His response to Olukun Kyokucu’s opening goal appeared hesitant, though he did show reliability in thwarting crosses as the late game unfolded.
Right back Joe Scully receives a 4. While Alex Freeman and Sergino Dest shined on the right flank in previous matches, Scully’s impact was minimal. He was notably caught out of position, contributing to Turkiye’s go-ahead goal.
Center back Myles Robinson scored a 5. He made several key clearances as Turkiye built confidence after their second goal. Nevertheless, Robinson, like many in the defense, was out of position on the match-winner, highlighting vulnerabilities in the backline.
Center back Mark McKenzie gets a lowly 3. He faced one of the most challenging nights on the pitch, allowing Turkiye to capitalize for their equalizer early in the game and generally displaying fragility throughout the match.
Left back Auston Trusty earns a 5. Trusty had a strong start, netting the first goal from a corner kick in the opening minutes. However, he struggled with turnovers that instigated counterattacks, putting his team under pressure on occasions.
Midfielder Weston McKennie also receives a 5. His attempt to score a goal from the first corner fell to Trusty instead. Despite this, he managed to find space to control the game’s tempo amid inconsistency from the team overall.
Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is rated 7, emerging as the standout performer. His corner kick initiated the scoring, and he consistently delivered accurate passes into the box. Berhalter’s long-range shot that leveled the score underscored his impact throughout the match.
Substitutions
Late-game substitution Christian Pulisic, who came on in the 76th minute, is rated at 7. Questions about his fitness following an injury were promptly addressed. Pulisic became a consistent threat, coming close to scoring shortly after entering the match with a shot that narrowly missed the target.
Sergiño Dest (on for Reyna in the 77th minute) had a quieter presence, while Alejandro Zendejas (also entering in the 77th minute) made a late attempt that posed a threat. Alex Freeman, who came on for Scully at the same time, added some stability to the defense, but overall struggled in a defensive collapse during Turkiye’s final push.
Finally, Malik Tillman, entering the game in the 86th minute, showcased a box-to-box presence that provided a strategic shift as he took over midfield duties from McKennie.
