In the days leading up to the United States’ final group match in the World Cup, their encounter with Turkey was largely viewed as a mere formality. While the new tournament structure prevented any discussions about potential opponents until the third round of matches commenced, the co-hosts had already secured their place in the knockout stage.
Questions circulated around the extent of Mauricio Pochettino’s rotation strategy. Every move by Christian Pulisic, including whether he wore a calf sleeve, faced intense scrutiny. The atmosphere at the training camp in Irvine, California, was lighthearted, providing a rare moment of calm before the storm, where positivity filled the air.
In theory, the only conceivable setbacks could have stemmed from injuries. While the US did experience some issues, notably Auston Trusty’s rolled left ankle, which he later indicated had been treated, the last-minute goal loomed large. Ultimately, the match ended in a 3-2 defeat that left room for a potential comeback.
Rather than lament the loss, Trusty and his teammates expressed confidence that the positive momentum from previous victories against Paraguay and Australia remained intact.
“We were overwhelmingly positive,”
Trusty remarked, reflecting on the team’s morale. “Obviously, going into this game, they really had nothing to play for. Guys got minutes to prove themselves and show their ability, and that’s what we did. And I think we played well. We had a lot of chances that didn’t go our way, and then to lose with the last-second goal was just unfortunate.”
Like many national teams outside of the elite few, the US struggles with execution as they rotate their lineup. The new World Cup format resets yellow card counts after the group stage, ruling out four vital players who had received cautions in the first two matches. Among those sidelined are key defender Chris Richards, left-back Antonee Robinson, top scorer Folarin Balogun, and midfield stalwart Tyler Adams.
On the eve of the match, Pochettino confirmed that none of the cautioned players would participate to avoid risking further issues. Pulisic was expected to return in the second half after missing the match against Australia due to a calf injury. This created opportunities for players who had not featured in the first two games, including Sebastian Berhalter, who was named to start after being the first substitute in the previous matches. For him, this experience before the stakes escalated was a crucial reward for securing the group early.
“We know everyone’s ready to step up at any given moment,”
Berhalter stated. “I think you saw that today. I think we let some moments get away from us, but I thought the performances overall were good. Some guys hadn’t played a minute, and they stepped up and did great.”
Berhalter stood out particularly during the match, especially in offensive situations. He initiated the scoring with a precise corner kick that found Trusty, who marked his international goal debut in style. Berhalter later equalized in the second half, capitalizing on a headed pass and slotting it past goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır.
That should have been the highlight of the match for the US. However, Turkey struck late to secure their victory.
“It doesn’t [hurt momentum],”
Berhalter said regarding the loss. “I think you saw the second half, how we came out, and I think we deserved more. I think one moment, we slipped in the last second of the game. We’re proud of the performance we put in.”
Adams also remained philosophical about the defeat.
“It’s not going to be perfect,”
Adams noted. “No tournament is perfect. You live and you learn. I think a lot of the guys will take lessons from that game.”
Attention now shifts entirely to the knockout stage. Just prior to kickoff, it was confirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina would be the US’s first opponent in the bracket after they placed third in Group A, having drawn against Canada and defeated Qatar. The Bosnian team is sure to be fearless, having famously triumphed over Italy in a shootout to reach this World Cup.
That memorable match took place in Zenica, while next Wednesday’s knockout fixture will unfold in unfamiliar territory, as both teams head to the Bay Area with a spot in the last 16 at stake. Following their first loss in this World Cup, players who participated in the earlier matches will be eager to demonstrate that the game against Turkey was merely an aberration.
“Teams can punish you, teams can hurt you,”
Tim Ream stated. “It’s one of those things. You’ll be disappointed with the loss, but the sun rises tomorrow. We’re in the round of 32 and we have a new team to focus on.”
