The United States closed out their 2026 World Cup group stage campaign with a 3-2 defeat to Turkey in Los Angeles on Friday morning (UK time).
Mauricio Pochettino’s men have been one of the standouts of the tournament so far with 4-1 and 2-0 wins over Paraguay and Australia, respectively. They got off to a quick start here, too, with Auston Trusty opening the scoring after just three minutes.
However, Turkey quickly hit back through Arda Guler and took the lead just after the half-hour mark through Orkun Kokcu in an attacking display that had previously been utterly absent at the tournament prior for the already-eliminated side.
Sebastian Berhalter netted a superb volley just after half-time to level the scores in what was an entertaining encounter between top and bottom of Group D, which was ultimately settled by Kaan Ayhan’s scrappy winner with the last kick of the game.
Sebastian Berhalter makes statement for heavily rotated USMNT
Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes to the side that beat Australia last time, with his apparent back-up brigade producing an exciting performance in LA.
There were mixed individual performances, with Trusty looking suspect defensively despite scoring the opening goal, and Ricardo Pepi starved of service up front.
However, one man who has slammed his CV down on Pochettino’s desk ahead of the knockout rounds is Sebastian Berhalter.
Son of the previous USMNT head coach, Berhalter had made two substitute appearances at this World Cup prior to facing Turkey, coming on at half-time against Paraguay and for the final 16 minutes against Australia.
The Vancouver Whitecaps man — who has been one of the best midfielders in MLS over the past couple of years — was given the full 90 here and used it to carry this USMNT performance.
It was Berhalter’s corner that found Trusty at the far post, while his exquisite volley just after half-time to make it 2-2 will certainly figure among the goals of the group stage.
However, they were just two moments in an all-action performance that yielded a match-high five chances created and 89 touches, alongside 55 passes completed, eight crosses and seven of 12 ground duels won. Berhalter also put in a strong defensive shift to dampen Turkey’s considerably talented midfield, making two tackles, two interceptions and eight recoveries.
Pochettino is well-stacked in midfield with the likes of Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. However, Berhalter — who managed 61 minutes of this match on a yellow card — has given the Argentine head coach food for thought and every reason to trust him again when the US face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 32.
Turkey show up too late
Given the immense talents of Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz and Orkun Kokcu — among many others — and their billing as one of the strongest dark horses at the tournament, Turkey have arguably been the biggest disappointment of this World Cup so far.
The Crescent-Stars went into this match without a point or even a goal after 2-0 and 1-0 defeats to Australia and Paraguay, respectively. With that in mind, the manner of their performance here will have arguably frustrated most fans even more.
Vincenzo Montella’s men went toe-to-toe with the United States in LA and gave the co-hosts genuine problems on their own turf.
Turkey created four big chances and had 23 touches in the opposition box throughout the match, with Guler a constant threat, Kokcu inventive with the ball, and the likes of Baris Yilmaz and Oguz Aydin giving absolutely everything for the cause.
Montella’s side were good value for the victory, even if they had to earn it at the death with a very scrappy goal. All that when bottom of the group was already guaranteed in Turkey’s first World Cup since 2002.
This win will do little to gloss over what has been a serious letdown in North America.
Pulisic returns ahead of knockout rounds
The status of Christian Pulisic was the biggest question mark for the United States heading into this final group match, with the AC Milan star withdrawn at half-time against Paraguay and missing the win over Australia with a calf injury.
Pochettino introduced the former Chelsea man in the 58th minute here, and on the evidence of his cameo, the Stars and Stripes have nothing to worry about heading into the knockout rounds.
Pulisic was a livewire throughout the second half, using his pace to drive behind the Turkish defence and stretch them at every opportunity.
The 27-year-old attempted a joint-match-high three shots and came very close to scoring on a couple of occasions. Meanwhile, Pulisic completed all 12 of his passes, created one chance and had three touches in the opposition box.
Pulisic has come up with far bigger moments in a United States shirt. But equally, there are far bigger matches to come than a dead-rubber between the teams already guaranteed top and bottom of Group D, respectively.
All the noise in LA suggests Pulisic is primed and ready for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Despite a disappointing defeat, this is the overwhelming positive.
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