Türkiye scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to beat a heavily rotated United States 3-2 on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium, denying the co-hosts a perfect group stage record but leaving them atop Group D and bound for the round of 32.
Auston Trusty headed the Americans in front in the third minute from a corner, and Sebastian Berhalter added a long-range strike early in the second half to level the score after Türkiye had taken the lead through Arda Güler and Bar?? Alper Y?lmaz. Kaan Ayhan slid home the winner deep into added time after a scramble in the box.
The result marked the first World Cup defeat for Mauricio Pochettino’s side after victories over Paraguay and Australia, yet it came with qualification already secured and the group title in hand. The coach made nine changes, resting four players on yellow cards to avoid suspension risks and giving minutes to squad depth amid injuries to key figures like Christian Pulisic.
Pochettino struck a positive tone afterward, pushing back against questions about lost momentum. “The objective was to finish first, and we are first,” he said. “I am so positive and I am happy. Maybe I am not showing because your questions are a little bit weird, but I am so happy, and the players are happy because I think we perform, we compete, and we are first.”
He emphasized the value of the performance despite the result. “We are much better than before that game because we had players now with 90 minutes in the legs and performing,” Pochettino added. “Plenty of players that made a debut or made their first start. I think we are a much better team now than before.”
The match showcased the squad’s depth at a time when the knockout stage demands it. Berhalter stood out with a goal and involvement in the buildup play, while the rotated back line held firm for long stretches against a motivated Türkiye side playing for pride after two earlier defeats.
USA’s group stage performance has been largely encouraging. The team scored six goals and conceded just one across the first two matches before this contest, showing clinical finishing and defensive organization. The loss to Türkiye, while disappointing in its timing, provided valuable game time to players who will be needed as the tournament intensifies. Pochettino has repeatedly stressed the importance of arriving at the knockout rounds in the best possible condition rather than obsessing over an unbeaten record.
The Americans will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, likely on or around July 1 in the San Francisco Bay Area. As Group D winners, they hold a favorable path on paper, though the expanded 48-team format means every knockout tie carries high stakes. Possible later opponents could include strong sides emerging from other groups, but the immediate focus remains preparing a near-full-strength squad for the first knockout test.
For Türkiye, the tournament ends on a high note with their first victory and three points. Coach Vincenzo Montella’s side showed resilience and attacking quality in patches, with Güler’s influence evident. The result offers some consolation after an early exit, and the team can now reflect on lessons for future cycles while players return to club duty.
Overall, the USMNT enters the knockout stage as one of the form teams among the co-hosts, with momentum from topping a competitive group and evidence that the squad has the depth to handle rotation when necessary. The late concession against Türkiye serves as a reminder that concentration must remain high through the final whistle, but Pochettino’s side appears well-positioned to build on its strong start.
