The U.S. Men’s National Team’s quest to conclude FIFA World Cup group stage play unbeaten fell just short.
Both Auston Trusty and Sebastian Berhalter scored their first-career World Cup goals but a 98th minute winning strike from Kaan Ayhan helped already-eliminated Turkey capture a 3-2 victory. The defeat marked the USMNT’s first loss of the competition this summer, giving them six points out of three Group D matches.
It was a fast start for the USMNT as Trusty netted a 1-0 opening goal after three minutes.
Berhalter’s corner kick found Trusty at the back post before the veteran centerback gathered possession and rifled home a left-footed shot.
Turkey would strike back though only seven minutes later as star attacker Arda Guler snuck into the box and roofed a shot past Matt Turner. An upfield pass caught Mark McKenzie out of position before Baris Yilmaz raced upfield and played Guler in for a 1-1 equalizer.
Continued pressure from Vincenzo Montella’s squad eventually led to Turkey grabbing a 2-1 lead before halftime. A nice passage of play down the left flank was capped off by Orkan Kokcu’s one-time finish from an Eren Elmali cross.
The USMNT would rally to tie things up though four minutes into the second half as Sebastian Berhalter dialed his own number. A frantic spell in the Turkey box eventually led to a loose ball at the top of the box being ripped home by Berhalter for a 2-2 equalizer.
Christian Pulisic made his long-awaited return to action and came close to scoring shortly after coming on. Pulisic was played upfield by Berhalter in the 63rd minute and delivered a strong shot from a tight angle by Cakir repelled the veteran attacker’s effort.
Despite ample opportunities from the USMNT to find a winning goal, it was Turkey who walked away victorious. Can Uzun was left wide open at the back post on a cross, allowing the substitute to gather possession before ripping a pass to Ayhan for the sliding finish.
The Americans finished the group stage with eight goals scored, the most-ever at a World Cup in program history, but will feel disappointed to not head into the knockout stage unbeaten.
Bosnia-Herzegovina will await the USMNT in the Round of 32 on July 1 in San Francisco.