USMNT Struggles Against Turkey in Connecticut
Perhaps we were too harsh with Gregg Berhalter
The United States Men’s National Team returned to New England and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Turkey.
Mauricio Pochettino trotted out an interesting starting XI that did not feature New England fan-favorite goalkeeper Matt Turner. Matt Freese got the start in net behind the backline of Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson and Max Arfsten. Malik Tillman and Luca de la Torre served as defensive midfielders while Jack McGlynn played as a No. 10.
Diego Luna and Johnny Cardoso were out wide while Patrick Agyemang was the lone striker up top.
It didn’t take long for the United States to find the back of the net as McGlynn ripped a laser into the back of the net in the first minute of the match. The goal was a banger and continues what has been a fantastic year for the midfielder who was traded from the Philadelphia Union to the Houston Dynamo.
Freese faced his first real test in the 23rd minute as Benfica midfielder Orkun Kökcü launched a shot from distance on goal but the New York City FC goalkeeper punched the shot over the net and out of play. Unfortunately, moments later, an error would level the game, as a poor pass from Cardoso was blocked by Arda Güler in the box and crept into the net in the 25th minute.
Turkey then soon after secured the lead as the U.S. struggled to clear the ball out of its own third, and after the ball traversed around the box, Benfica’s Kerem Akturkoglu found the back of the net in the 27th minute.
The error from Cardoso was inexcusable. While he is coming off a quality season with Real Betis, his performance was that of a player who shouldn’t be locked into a national team roster spot anytime soon. Additionally, the U.S. struggled to maintain possession and build out of the back. The stars and stripes looked like a squad that was trying to play a style of soccer it wasn’t capable of.
The U.S. needed a much better overall performance in the second half if it was going to walk away victorious. This was clearly the message from Poch as Tyler Adams and Mark McKenzie entered the match to begin the second half, replacing Cardoso and Robinson.
The U.S. got three good chances within the first 10 minutes of the second half. San Diego FC’s de la Torre launched a shot over the bar, but a few minutes later, he sent a cross that found Arfsten on the back post. Unfortunately, the Columbus Crew left back was unable to get the header on target. Agyemang also rocketed a shot on net that was directly to the goalkeeper.
Arfsten got another chance at the back post in the 57th minute but he struggled to control the ball and his shot fluttered wide. The chances continued in the 61st minute as the U.S. struck on the counter and Adams sent a cross to Tillman, who rose above Turkey’s defenders but his header was directed straight at the goalkeeper.
The changes continued for the United States in the as Haji Wright, Nathan Harriel and Quinn Sullivan replaced Luna, Arfsten, and McGlynn. Then in the 74th minute, Agyemang was replaced by Brian White.
The U.S. failed to take advantage of any opportunities in the second half and left Hartford the losers on the day. It was another performance that has fans questioning if the stars and stripes will be ready to perform come the 2026 World Cup.