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The US men’s national soccer team lost its final Group D game to Türkiye, 3-2, as Kaan Ayhan scored on the final shot of the game in a crushing blow against the home nation.
The only and more important caveat: this game never mattered to their chances of winning the FIFA World Cup in the first place.
Yes, Team USA looked to take momentum into the round of 16 next week and even make history for the country as the first team to win three World Cup games. Instead, it’s a little heartbreak in Los Angeles.
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Sebastian Berhalter of the United States celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Turkey and the United States at Los Angeles Stadium on June 25, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Türkiye, who have had a lackluster tournament, will go home on a high note as they celebrated their hard-fought victory against a USMNT side that saw nine changes to the starting XI from head coach Mauricio Pochettino to keep players fresh for next week.
The crowd shook during the national anthem, but all of Inglewood, Calif., likely felt the moment Auston Trusty hammered in a corner kick from Sebastian Berhalter just three minutes into the game against Türkiye.
Trusty hit a dead sprint to the American bench as the sold-out Los Angeles Stadium crowd cheered.
But Türkiye, despite having no chance to advance in the tournament, did not go easy with this match. Just seven minutes later, Arda Güler, the 21-year-old who plays for Real Madrid, took advantage of soft American coverage and buried a ball past Matt Turner, who took over for Matt Freese in net, to tie the game.
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It was a physical game going forward, with the USA showing that this game still mattered as they sought history as the only team to ever win three World Cup games. Meanwhile, Türkiye played for pride and it was written all over their faces.
However, it was Türkiye who broke through the tie first as Orkun Kökçü had a clean look right in front of goal thanks to solid passing around the American box. He pressed it and the crowd quieted a bit.
Auston Trusty of the United States celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Turkey and the United States at Los Angeles Stadium on June 25, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Jared C. Tilton/FIFA)
The first half ended with Türkiye in front, but if there’s one way to get the crowd going in the second half, it’s to see “Captain America” finally back on the field. Christian Pulisic only played 45 minutes in this World Cup due to a left calf injury, missing the entire match against Australia.
But Pulisic said he felt 100% before the game and rather than sit him out until the round of 16, Pochettino thought it smart to give him time. He struck immediately, forcing Türkiye back into their defensive zone, and that ultimately led to a moment where a throw-in led to a pinball that landed at Berhalter’s feet.
Berhalter hit a low shot and through traffic the ball whizzed past the Türkiye keeper for the equalizer at two apiece. Once again it was only three minutes into the half and all the momentum fell back on home soil.
Both teams tried their best to break the deadlock once again, with Pulisic having the best chance with a left-footed strike that went just wide of the left post. But Ayhan’s heroic slide to kick the ball into the back of the American net is how this one ended just before the final whistle.
Gio Reyna of the United States and Orkun Kokcu of Turkey fight for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and the United States in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The USMNT will play their Round of 16 final on July 1 at 20:00 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
