USMNT Stunned by Turkey in Last-Minute Defeat as Pochettino Benches Key Stars

For 97 minutes, Mauricio Pochettino had little reason to complain. The USMNT had conceded twice against Turkey, and a third consecutive victory at this World Cup was slipping away. There were certainly flaws to examine, but there was plenty for the manager to take from the night.

This was, after all, a low-stakes finale against a Turkey side already knocked out after losing their first two matches. The United States had been able to rotate, give key figures a breather and keep players in danger of suspension out of trouble. At 2-2, they were heading into the round of 32 unbeaten and, crucially, without any fresh damage.

Christian Pulisic made his return from injury looking as lively as ever, while players such as Sebastian Berhalter seized their starting opportunity and made a strong case for further involvement.

Then came the twist. With virtually the final touch, Kaan Ayhan snatched a dramatic win for Turkey. It was a painful late blow for Pochettino and for the players hoping to convince him to rethink his lineup for the knockout stage, which begins next week against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Still, the fact that the goal changed so little says plenty about the progress this USMNT has made. The Americans had already secured first place in Group D, and the hope now is that this defeat becomes nothing more than a minor stumble on a longer World Cup run.

Pochettino’s squad still gathered in prayer after the final whistle before beginning a lap of appreciation. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” continued to echo around SoFi Stadium. The serious business begins now, and even with the late loss, the 70,000 fans inside the stadium had been given a night worth watching.

For one, they saw a 30-minute cameo from Pulisic that underscored once again how pivotal he will be this summer.

The winger missed the second half of the win over Paraguay and the victory over Australia but didn’t appear rusty at all. That bodes well and so does this team’s form in front of goal. Never before has the USMNT scored more than seven goals at a World Cup. Pochettino’s side have now racked up eight in just three games.

Only Weston McKennie – who captained the team in place of Tim Ream – and Ricardo Pepi kept their place from the win over Australia in Seattle. 

It showed at times, particularly in the first half, when the US backline wobbled in the face of Arda Guler’s brilliance. He scored Turkey’s first and had a hand in their second, which was scored Orkun Kokcu.

Over their opening two games, Turkey had 62 shots – more than anyone else – without scoring. Here, they netted with their first two attempts on goal and then their last. The US had taken an early lead through Auston Trusty before falling 2-1 down. Sebastian Berhalter leveled shortly after halftime but Ayhan had the final say.

Every couple of minutes, a new face appeared on the giant, 360-degree screen that hangs from the roof of SoFi Stadium. Stars of sports and showbiz who filled the suites that wrap around this $5.5billion playground.

Among them? Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson, NBA legend Scottie Pippen and LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Kamala Harris was here, too. So was Second Lady Usha Vance. Paris Hilton was on the field ahead of kickoff but even after Pochettino rang the changes, she couldn’t squeeze into the starting XI.

Before the tournament, all signs pointed to this being a pivotal game in the fate of Group D. Perhaps even a shootout for top spot. Instead? It was virtually meaningless.

Thankfully, it took all of two minutes to dispel any fears that – after booking their place in the knockout rounds and resting almost all their starters – Pochettino’s team would coast through this game.

Straight from kickoff, the US launched the ball deep into Turkey territory and then tore into their opponents. Gio Reyna forced a corner, which was not dealt with, before Trusty’s shot needed saving.

Seconds later, Berhalter whipped in another corner that flew all the way to Trusty at the far post. He had enough time to take a touch, fire home and then hare towards the USA bench where he was mobbed by teammates and doused in water. It was the second-fastest US goal in World Cup history – not bad for a makeshift left back.

Unfortunately, the defending wasn’t much better at the other end and Turkey levelled the game after 10 minutes. First, Guler outsmarted Mark McKenzie, leaving the defender on his heels, before beating Matt Turner, who was too slow off his line.

McKenzie thought he had made amends around the half-hour mark, after another US corner caused chaos. The ball cannoned around the box before falling to the defender, who lashed it home. Unfortunately his celebrations were cut short – the goal was ruled out for offside – and then moments later, Turkey took the lead.

This time, the USMNT were sliced apart by slick interplay around the box. Eventually a pull-back found Kokcu, who made no mistake. 

It remained 2-1 at the break, when the stadium DJ decided to play Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer.’ That has become one of the sounds of this team’s summer – alongside John Denver – and it lit a fire under the crowd and, apparently, the team, too.

Because a few minutes into the second half, Berhalter drilled a bouncing ball through a crowd of bodies and inside the near post. He received a big embrace from Reyna. Four years ago, a rift between their families threatened to rip US soccer apart. This was another night that proved how far this team has come.

Before long, Turkey had the threat of Pulisic to deal with. The winger laid on a brilliant chance for Brenden Aaronson, whose skewed his shot well wide. Pulisic then had an effort tipped on to the post by Ugurcan Cakir. Unfortunately for the US, Ayhan made no mistake from close range.