USA suffers late defeat to Turkey but eyes Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup knockout stage

By Rohan Gupta — 26 June 2026 — 3 min read

The US men’s national team experienced a 3-2 defeat against Turkey in their final World Cup group stage match, with Kaan Ayhan scoring the decisive goal in added time. This result marked the first loss for the USA in the tournament, despite having secured the top spot in Group D with two earlier victories. The team is now set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on July 1 in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The match, played in front of 70,492 fans at Los Angeles Stadium, saw USA take an early lead through defender Auston Trusty. However, Turkey responded with two goals in the first half from Arda Güler in the 10th minute and Orkun Kökçü in the 31st minute, marking the first time the USA had trailed in the tournament. Sebastian Berhalter equalized for the USA shortly after half-time with a volley.

Mauricio Pochettino, the USA coach, made significant changes to his lineup, with Weston McKennie being the only player retained from the previous starting XIs against Paraguay and Australia. This rotation allowed key players such as Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards, and Antonee Robinson to rest and avoid potential suspensions for the upcoming knockout match. Cristian Roldan was unavailable due to a quad injury, impacting the midfield’s fluidity.

Match details and defensive concerns

The USA started the match brightly, with Trusty’s goal coming from a corner kick. This early lead mirrored their performances against Paraguay and Australia. However, the defensive setup, a traditional flat back four, struggled under pressure. Güler’s equalizer came after he exploited a scattered backline, while Kökçü’s goal capitalized on individual defensive errors in midfield, including McKennie being beaten in the air.

In the second half, the USA showed a more aggressive approach, pressing higher and tightening their defense. Berhalter’s equalizer came from an uncleared corner, a low, powerful half-volley that found the net. Despite creating several other opportunities, including two chances for substitute Christian Pulisic after his return from injury, the USA could not find a winning goal. Pulisic’s introduction in the 58th minute was a positive, as he immediately contributed to the team’s attacking efforts.

The late goal from Ayhan, following excellent work by Güler, sealed the victory for Turkey. This defeat has raised questions about the USA’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in crucial moments of matches. The team’s defending has been identified as a potential weakness, with the shutout against Australia being their first clean sheet in nearly a year.

Looking ahead to the knockout stage

Despite the loss, Pochettino emphasized the positive aspects, including winning Group D and the opportunity for players to gain valuable match experience. He highlighted that the team is now in a stronger position, with more players having 90 minutes in their legs and ready to contribute. The coach also noted the importance of Pulisic’s return to action, providing him with 30 to 40 minutes of play to prepare for the next game.

The USA’s path in the tournament remains favorable, with the knockout match against Bosnia and Herzegovina scheduled for July 1 at Levi’s Stadium. The team’s ability to respond positively to setbacks and the depth of the squad, demonstrated by the significant rotation against Turkey, will be crucial as they advance. The match against Turkey, while a defeat, provided a test of resilience for the squad ahead of the higher stakes of the knockout rounds.

Source: theguardian.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter