The US men’s national soccer team has already achieved remarkable milestones this summer. They set a record by scoring the highest number of goals in a single World Cup match, secured two consecutive victories in the tournament for the first time in modern history, and clinched the top position in a competitive Group D ahead of schedule.
However, on Thursday evening, they encountered a more familiar challenge: World Cup adversity. In critical moments—those that often determine the outcome of knockout matches—they faltered. Kaan Ayhan’s last-minute goal delivered a 3-2 victory for Turkey, providing a silver lining to their otherwise disappointing tournament. This defeat leaves the Americans heading into the last 32—where they will face Bosnia and Herzegovina—with lingering questions.
Match Summary
Before a crowd of 70,492 at Los Angeles Stadium, the US initially appeared to have a manageable task. As seen in their previous matches against Paraguay and Australia, the Americans took the lead early, this time courtesy of an unexpected goal from defender Auston Trusty. However, the US defense buckled under pressure moments later in the first half, conceding goals to Arda Güler in the 10th minute and Orkun Kökçü in the 31st, marking the first time the US trailed in this tournament.
A comeback was sparked when Sebastian Berhalter leveled the score shortly after halftime with a well-executed volley. The US had several other opportunities that could have shifted the game’s direction.
Tactical Decisions and Player Performance
Despite the match being a dead rubber, much attention was drawn to Mauricio Pochettino’s choice to significantly rotate his squad. Weston McKennie was the only player retained from the starting lineups against Paraguay and Australia. Pochettino’s options were also constrained due to Cristian Roldan’s quad injury, which kept the Seattle Sounders captain from training all week. His absence was felt, particularly in a midfield that struggled to replicate the fluidity seen in their earlier victories.
The US began strongly, generating two opportunities from corner kicks taken by Berhalter. The first corner, delivered from the right, slipped past the goalkeeper and defense, but no one was available to convert. The second corner resulted in the US’s breakthrough as it landed at Trusty’s feet, who, despite a challenging angle, managed to score the US’s third early goal in three matches. Trusty celebrated by sprinting to the sideline, beaming with pride as his teammates engulfed him in celebration, with Trusty breaking free to embrace Pochettino.
Defensive Struggles and Late Drama
After impressively navigating through their previous two matches, the US reverted to a more conventional flat back four against Turkey—a formation that had previously been exploited during a March friendly against Belgium, resulting in a 5-2 loss. This tactical choice proved problematic for much of the first half following Trusty’s goal, exemplified by Güler’s equalizer. The Real Madrid star took advantage of a disorganized defense, making a decisive run that capitalized on a screen from Barış Alper Yılmaz and easily finished past Matt Turner.
Turkey’s second goal further highlighted the US’s struggles in individual duels. McKennie, who had been solid overall, lost an aerial challenge in midfield, allowing Turkey to execute a well-structured third-man play that left Joe Scally vulnerable. Eren Elmalı’s timely cutback to Kökçü was perfectly paced, requiring only a simple finish to find the net.
Following halftime, the US emerged as a rejuvenated side, pressing more assertively and tightening their defensive organization, shedding the sluggish energy that had characterized their first half. They proved to be opportunistic as well; after a corner kick that went unclaimed, Berhalter seized the moment, unleashing a low half-volley that found the near post. He immediately dashed toward the ball, expressing his eagerness to resume play in hopes of scoring a third.
Ultimately, that third goal eluded the Americans despite numerous chances. Christian Pulisic, returning from injury as a substitute, demonstrated promise but narrowly missed two opportunities. In a frantic sequence during the 63rd minute, his deflected shot struck the crossbar, and McKennie’s follow-up effort was blocked.
The match’s decisive moment came in the dying seconds. An impressive corner routine allowed Güler to evade two defenders, delivering a cross to an unmarked Ayhan at the far post. He finished with precision, dramatically altering the atmosphere in the stands and the US locker room.
The US team consistently emphasizes their commitment to “brotherhood,” speaking about the collective effort of all 26 players and the notion that no one is assured playing time or any guarantees. Essentially, they advocate for shared accountability.
If the lessons learned from this defeat are embraced collectively, sharpening the focus of both first- and second-choice players, this setback may ultimately serve as a valuable lesson. Success in World Cup knockout rounds often hinges on resilience and the ability to rebound. The US will strive to move past this latest setback.
