The United States arrived in Los Angeles knowing they were already through as Group D winners, but they left the field at the Rose Bowl with a 2-1 defeat to Turkey, a result that will force Mauricio Pochettino to address his team’s disjointed performance before the knockout stages.
Turkey rediscover pride in a dead rubber
Turkey entered the match with nothing to play for but pride, and they left with two goals in the first half, both crafted from set pieces. Orkun Kökçü opened the scoring in the 17th minute after a corner from Barış Güler was half-cleared by Walker Zimmerman, and the ball fell to the Dutch-born midfielder at the far post, where he guided a low shot past Matt Turner. A second header from a similar phase, this time from defender Mert Müldür after a Güler delivery, put the USA on the back foot. The visitors absorbed early pressure, with the USA making nine changes from their previous match, and their disciplined structure frustrated Pochettino’s side. Turkey’s first-half display was a marked improvement on their disjointed opening two games, and their intensity carried them into the interval with a lead they would not relinquish.
USA’s momentum interrupted
Pochettino’s side had arrived in Los Angeles on the back of back-to-back wins for the first time since 1930, and their dominance against Australia—where they controlled 68% of possession and created 18 shots—suggested they were peaking at the right time. But the introduction of nine changes disrupted their rhythm, with key figures like Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, and Tyler Adams all omitted from the starting XI. Turkey’s direct approach exposed gaps in the USA’s defensive line, particularly in transition, where Güler’s overlapping runs repeatedly forced the hosts into hurried clearances. By the 37th minute, Antonee Robinson was caught in possession high on the left flank, allowing Güler to advance unchallenged before forcing a foul from Zimmerman. The hosts struggled to contain Turkey’s width, and their inability to adjust mid-game raised questions about their cohesion ahead of a last-32 tie against Bosnia.
Pochettino’s dilemma: rest or maintain rhythm?
With the knockout stages looming, Pochettino faces a familiar World Cup conundrum: whether to prioritize momentum or risk fatigue by resting key players. The USA’s group-stage exit from the last edition underlined the dangers of peaking too early, and this defeat suggests their depth may not be as reliable as their starting XI. Christian Pulisic’s potential return from injury could provide a lift, but the coach must decide whether to gamble on continuity or rotate before facing a resurgent Bosnia side—who beat Nigeria 2-1 in their final group game—with a fully fit squad. Turkey, meanwhile, exit with their heads held high, having salvaged some pride from a tournament that had already written them off after defeats to France and the Netherlands.
The result leaves the USA with work to do before the knockout stages. Their disjointed display against Turkey exposed vulnerabilities in midfield transition and defensive organization that Bosnia will exploit if Pochettino fails to address them. For Turkey, the match was a reminder of what might have been had their early form matched their late intensity, while Güler’s performance—creating two of their three big chances—highlighted the individual quality that has been missing in their previous outings. The World Cup moves on, but the questions for both sides remain.
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