The United States lost 3-2 to Türkiye in the final Group D match after Kaan Ayhan slid home the decisive finish in the closing moments. Team USA vs Türkiye delivered early drama, quick responses from both sides and a dramatic last-gasp winner that left the home crowd stunned.
Team USA vs Türkiye recap
Auston Trusty opened the scoring early with a headed finish from a U.S. set piece, giving the hosts a fast lead. Türkiye responded within minutes when Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler found space and converted to level the match. Orkun Kökçü later put Türkiye ahead with a composed finish after a period of sustained pressure.
Christian Pulisic returned to action in the second half for roughly 45 minutes and helped spark a U.S. surge that produced an equalizer later in the half. The match looked headed for a draw until Kaan Ayhan produced the winning touch in the final sequence to complete a 3-2 victory for Türkiye.
Timeline: goals and turning points
3′ — Auston Trusty (U.S.)
Trusty powered home a header from a U.S. set piece to put the hosts ahead early and energize the bench.
10′ — Arda Güler (Türkiye)
Güler capitalized on a lapse in coverage to restore parity shortly after the opener, finishing with composure past the substitute goalkeeper.
First half — Orkun Kökçü (Türkiye)
Following a sustained spell of Turkish possession and crisp passing around the U.S. penalty area, Kökçü finished a low strike that gave Türkiye the lead before halftime.
Second half — Berhalter (U.S.)
A second-half scramble in the box resulted in a low strike from Berhalter that threaded through a crowd to bring the U.S. level and shift momentum back to the home side.
Late — Kaan Ayhan (Türkiye)
In the final moments, Ayhan slid in to redirect the decisive finish and seal a 3-2 win for Türkiye, ending the match in dramatic fashion.
Pochettino’s lineup changes and player notes
Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes to the starting XI for this final group match, a clear strategic choice to manage minutes and protect key players ahead of the knockout round. The wholesale rotation affected the team’s cohesion at times but ensured several starters avoided heavy workloads before the single-elimination phase.
Christian Pulisic returned after a recent calf issue and played about 45 minutes. Pulisic told reporters he “felt 100% prior to the match,” per Fox News, and his presence helped the U.S. regain attacking intensity in the second half.
Goalkeeping duties shifted during the match when Matt Turner replaced Matt Freese. Turner was in net when Arda Güler scored the equalizer; the change was part of Pochettino’s broader rotation plan focused on fitness management rather than a response to injury.
Pochettino emphasized that the lineup choices were intentional and aimed at preserving energy for the knockout stages, per postgame coverage by Fox News. The coach’s rotation gave valuable minutes to squad players while keeping key figures fresh for July 1.
What this means for Team USA
Despite the loss, the result did not alter the United States’ path to the knockout stage. The U.S. remains scheduled to play in the round of 32 on July 1 in the San Francisco Bay Area, with kickoff set for 8 p.m., according to Fox News coverage.
Pochettino’s use of nine different starters signals a clear priority on recovery and tactical fine-tuning ahead of the single-elimination match. Expect a reversion toward the coach’s preferred core in the starting XI, with strategic rotations preserved for late-game management depending on opponent and match state.
What comes next
Preparation will center on recovery sessions, video review and a limited training window before the round of 32. Medical and coaching staff will assess workloads from this match when finalizing the starting lineup. The U.S. technical staff has flagged fitness as the primary reason for rotation, suggesting most key contributors should be available against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, per Fox News reporting.
Key takeaways
- The match ended 3-2 to Türkiye after a last-second Kaan Ayhan goal.
- Mauricio Pochettino made nine starting XI changes to manage minutes and prioritize the knockout stage.
- Auston Trusty opened the scoring; Arda Güler and Orkun Kökçü were pivotal for Türkiye’s attack.
- Christian Pulisic returned for 45 minutes and reported feeling fully fit before the match.
Source and next steps
This recap is based on the original match coverage from Fox News. For the full match report, reaction and quotes, see the Fox News story linked below. Expect continued Nonstop News coverage of Team USA’s buildup to the round of 32 on July 1 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
