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Last minute Turkiye goal downs USMNT 3-2 in final World Cup group stage match as USA win Group D and advance

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With almost the last kick of the game, the United States men's national team lost to Türkiye 2-2 in Los Angeles on Thursday. Christian Pulisic made his return to the pitch following a thigh injury as Mauricio Pochettino heavily rotated to a good effect. Only two starters from the USMNT's victory over Australia kept their places: Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi. Kaan Ayhan snatched the game in the 98th minute of play, stopping the United States from going undefeated during the group stage.

It only took three minutes for Senastian Berhater to deliver an assist for Auston Trusty's first goal of his national team career before Türkiye's 63rd shot of the tournament beat Matt Turner and the defense to level the game only 10 minutes in. The sloppiness would continue with Orkun Kokcu giving Türkiye a lead going into the half, but right after the half, Berhalter hit an absolute belter from outside the box to become the first USMNT player to record a goal and an assist in the World Cup in the modern era.

While there's plenty of room for improvement, Pochettino ran out the B team, and they got a real test, facing a Türkiye side that was already knocked out. Now preparation shifts to July first when the United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara when the World Cup truly gets real as the round of 32 and the knockout stage begins

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United States 2, Türkiye 3 (FT)

2' - From their second corner kick of the game, it's Auston Trusty! It's his first goal for the United States in his second shot on target this quickly. Talk about a fast start.

10' - Ah, yes, that's what happens when you rotate this much as Arda Guler strikes for Türkye.

32' - After the United States had a goal ruled out for offside, Kokcu scored to put Türkye ahead, it's the first time that they've trailed during the World Cup.

49' - Sebastian Berhalter has a hit from distance, and now we're back level in the match. That was important to settle things down. 

98' -  A late, late winner comes from chaos in the box as Kaan Ayhan snatches the game. 

June 26, 2026, 2:01 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 10:01 pm EDT
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A possible injury

Going into stoppage time Auston Trusty has gone down with an ankle injury on the same day that he has scored his first goal for the USMNT. Just brutal, but he's at least walking and may try to come back into the game.

June 26, 2026, 3:55 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 11:55 pm EDT
 
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Weston McKennie exits

Malik Tillman comes on as McKennie leaves to an ovation from the crowd after an excellent performance. 

June 26, 2026, 3:50 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 11:50 pm EDT
 
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Ringing in the changes

Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, and Alex Zendejas have entered. Christian Pulisic almost found the back of the net but was just wide as the USMNT look more likely to score. 

June 26, 2026, 3:41 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 11:41 pm EDT
 
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Tim Weah out, Christian Pulisic in

It's his first appearance for the USMNT since being removed after the first half against Paraguay. With a chance to win all three games in the group stage for the first time, there's no way Pulisic doesn't want to turn this around.

June 26, 2026, 3:22 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 11:22 pm EDT
 
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Christian Pulisic is about to enter

After recovering from injury, he's about to get a run of 30 minutes tonight. 

June 26, 2026, 3:20 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 11:20 pm EDT
 
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Sebastian Berhalter from distance

The USMNT man was able to latch onto a long throw and delivered an absolute laser of a finish into the back of the net. The team needed that one after how they were losing control of the match. 

June 26, 2026, 3:15 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 11:15 pm EDT
 
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Back underway and more of the same

Weah tries to find a teammate and can't get his cross to come off. Not one of the best games that he has had.

June 26, 2026, 3:11 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 11:11 pm EDT
 
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No one got hurt

So far, despite the disorganization, that half is okay, despite the fact that substitutes in the attack aren't showing why they should start a game. It'll be interesting to see how they bounce back in the second half of play.

June 26, 2026, 2:53 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 10:53 pm EDT
 
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Six minutes of stoppage

This team has become quite disorganized, bring on the half for adjustments. 

June 26, 2026, 2:48 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 10:48 pm EDT
 
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For the first time, the Untied State are behind at the World Cup

This has been a team getting out to fast starts left and right, and after Türkiye's latest goal, the United States will need to show that they can fight back in the match. 

June 26, 2026, 2:34 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 10:34 pm EDT
 
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Guler has become the youngest ever goal scorer for Türkiye

At only 21, he's someone who will be central to whatever Türkiye does in the future, and it'll still be a bright one.

June 26, 2026, 2:30 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 10:30 pm EDT
 
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Defense, what defense?

It took 63 shots, but finally Türkiye have their goal after capitalizing on mistakes by the USMNT defense, and Arda Guler has an easy finish. This is wide open and will be a fascinating watch. 

June 26, 2026, 2:15 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 10:15 pm EDT
 
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It's a fast start

2:15, it's the second fastest goal for the United States in World Cup history, and it's fitting that it came from a Sebastian Berhalter delivery. What a time, as for the third consecutive game, this team has scored within the first 10 minutes of the match. 

June 26, 2026, 2:07 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 10:07 pm EDT
 
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Let's get rolling

The teams are on the pitch in what could be a very strange match. The United States have never made as many changes (nine) as they have tonight as they look to impress Mauricio Pochettino. 

June 26, 2026, 2:00 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 10:00 pm EDT
 
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Turkiye vs. USMNT pick, prediction

Turkiye will like their chances against a rotated version of the USMNT but the hosts have their own point to prove, hoping to become one of the teams to beat at this World Cup. Neither side will be particularly perfect considering the relatively low stakes but the U.S. team are in a good groove and that will not come to an end on Thursday. Pick: Turkiye 1, USMNT 2

June 26, 2026, 1:48 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 9:48 pm EDT
 
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The round of 32 opponent is officially Bosnia and Herzegovina

June 26, 2026, 1:09 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 9:09 pm EDT
 
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How to watch Turkiye vs. USMNT

Date: Thursday, June 25 | Time: 10 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium -- Inglewood, Calif.
TV: Fox (Eng), Telemundo (Spa) | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Odds: Turkiye +290; Draw +320; USMNT -125

June 26, 2026, 1:03 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 9:03 pm EDT
 
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Rotation, rotation everywhere

Without wanting starters to pick up yellow cards or injuries, Pochettino has made what is the right decision to rotate almost the entire squad, but one decision that's curious is rotating his keeper, Matt Freese. Freese has only made two saves during this tournament as he has faced a total of four shots. It's quite a low number, and he's now facing the team that has taken the most shots ever in two games through the World Cup, so it'd be a great chance to for some practice, but instead, Matt Turner will be the man in net.

June 26, 2026, 12:53 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 8:53 pm EDT
 
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USMNT XI

Christian Pulisic may have recovered, but he won't be starting the final group stage match for the USMNT, as Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi are the only players to keep their places in the XI.

USMNT Starting XI: Matt Turner, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Joe Scally, Weston McKennie, Sebastian Berhalter, Brenden Aaronson, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, Ricardo Pepi

June 26, 2026, 12:41 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 8:41 pm EDT
 
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Hello and welcome

We have a full rotation from Mauricio Pochettino as Weston McKennie is the only starter to keep his place in the lineup facing Turkiye.

June 26, 2026, 12:39 AM
Jun. 25, 2026, 8:39 pm EDT
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