The United States Men's National Team faced off against Turkey to conclude Group Stage play and lost 3-2.

Matt Turner got the start in net behind a backline that featured Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, and Joe Scally. Weston McKennie and Sebastian Berhalter started in the midfield while Ricardo Pepi was the lone striker up top. Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronsen and Tim Weah also earned starts.

McKennie and Pepi are the only two players to feature in the starting XI who also did so against Australia. Thursday was McKenzie and Robinson's World Cup debuts.

Turkey's starting XI featured Baris Yilmaz up top with Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz also featuring in the attack. Salih Ozcan and Orkun Kokcu featured in the midfield. Ugurcan Cakir was in net.

Auston Trusty nearly gave the U.S. an early lead as a corner kick bounced around the box and onto his feet. The defender quickly launched a shot that was saved but went out for an additional corner kick.

This time Trusty wouldn't let the opportunity go to waste. Berhalter launched a looping ball to the far post and Trusty was there to blast a shot into the back of the net in the third minute.

Turkiye 0-1 USA 3'- Auston Trusty

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— JM =^) (@jm539581.bsky.social) June 25, 2026 at 10:04 PM

Unfortunatley for the U.S. – and fans of Turner – the lead didn't last long. McKenzie got put on skates and Robinson was unable to start Guler and Turkey had tied the game.

10' Tie game. Arda Güler. Sloppy defense from the United States. 1-1 | #USMNT

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— Burgundy Wave (@burgundywave.bsky.social) June 25, 2026 at 10:19 PM

There isn't a whole lot that Turner could have done but considering how much Mauricio Pochettino likes Matt Freese, the goal has likely doomed him to the bench for the remainder of the tournament.

Berhalter would be the first player to enter the referee's book with a yellow-card worthy tackle that could have been a red. He missed the ball and cleanly connected with Ozcan.

The night got even worse for the backline as they were once again torn apart in the 31st minute. A group of USMNT players got caught ball watching and poor efforts from Scally and McKenzie led to an open chance for Kokcu.

32' Moments after Mark McKenzie has a goal on a corner called offside, the Yanks concede. Not great from him, Arfsten, and Robinson. 1-2 | #USMNT

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— Burgundy Wave (@burgundywave.bsky.social) June 25, 2026 at 10:38 PM

After entering the locker room down a goal after 45 minutes, the U.S. would respond. After a poor yellow card in the first half, Berhalter launched a half volley from distance that weaved through a wave of players to find the back of the net in the 49th minute.

The U.S. made its first change in the 58th minute as Christian Pulisic replaced Weah. It was a poor night for the Marseille winger who struggled to create anything in the final third. Pulisic nearly made an instant impact as he deflected a ball on goal but Cakir managed to get a glove on the shot and parried it off the post in the 63rd minute.

In the 77th minute, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, and Alex Zendejas replaced Aaronson, Scally and Reyna. Turkey made two changes in the 84th minute as Çağlar Söyüncü and Can Uzun replaced Zeki Çelik and Yildiz. The U.S. made a change a minute later as McKennie was replaced by Malik Tillman.

Turkey would make additional changes afterwards. Kokcu was replaced by Zeki Çelik in the 88th minute while Yilmaz was replaced by İrfan Can Kahveci in stoppage time.

The final nail in the coffin for the U.S. came in the eighth minute of stoppage time as Kaan Ayhan tapped home a rebound. Turner was drawn out of goal and after failing to make a save or stop the ball, it was an easy goal for Ayhan.

It was a nervy match for the United States that might have fans nervous heading into the Round of 32. Losing your last game headed into knockout rounds is never ideal.

But considering the amount of rotation, fans will be hoping that the United States can bounce back with a much improved effort. Next up, the U.S. will play Bosnia & Herzegovina on July 1.

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