World Cup

USMNT lose 3-2 to Turkiye on final play in Pulisic’s return

Trusty scored early in the first half for the USMNT
© Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesTrusty scored early in the first half for the USMNT

While many countries were still fighting for the final places in the next round of the 2026 World Cup, the USMNT already knew their position while Turkiye were already eliminated. It was a great match in which Turkiye won on the final play, ruining Christian Pulisic’s return.

In the first half, the USMNT started very strong with an early goal by Auston Trusty. However, Turkiye managed to come back with a quick Arda Güler goal before Orkun Kökçü scored to make it 2-1 for Turkiye.

In the second half, the USMNT went out motivated and levelled the match with a good goal by Sebastian Berhalter. A key moment for the team was the inclusion from the bench of Pulisic in the 58th minute after leaving at halftime of the first match. That momentum was ruined by Kaan Ayhan’s late goal in the final moments of the match.

Match ends

90+9' The referee blows the final whistle, confirming the end of the match after a dramatic finish in added time.

GOOOOOAAAAALLL Turkiye late winner

90+8' Arda Güler keeps the ball alive near the right corner flag and sends a deep cross into the box. Can Uzun arrives and puts it back across the area, and Kaan Ayhan finishes from close range to score for Turkiye in the final seconds of the match.

Turkiye late substitutions

90+1' Oguz Aydın comes off and Mert Müldür comes on, while Barış Alper Yılmaz is replaced by İrfan Can Kahveci for Turkiye as they make late changes in added time.

Seven minutes added time

90' Seven minutes are added at the end of the second half as USMNT and Turkiye head into a tense finish with everything still open in the match.

Injury stoppage for USMNT

89' Auston Trusty goes down on the pitch holding his left leg, with play momentarily stopped as USMNT medical staff are expected to check on him.

Turkiye substitution change

87' Orkun Kökçü comes off and Kaan Ayhan comes on for Turkiye.

USMNT substitution change

85' Weston McKennie comes off and Malik Tillman comes on for the USMNT.

Turkiye substitution changes

83' Zeki Çelik comes off and Çağlar Söyüncü comes on for Turkiye, while Kenan Yıldız leaves the pitch and Can Uzun comes on.

Orkun Kökçü shot for Turkiye

80' A good passing combination from Turkiye ends with Orkun Kökçü trying a shot from outside the box, but it goes well over the crossbar.

Christian Pulisic chance for USMNT

77' Christian Pulisic receives the ball outside the box on the right, feints to his left and takes a shot, but it goes just wide for USMNT.

USMNT substitutions

76' USMNT make multiple changes as Sergiño Dest comes on for Giovanni Reyna, Alex Zendejas replaces Brenden Aaronson, and Alex Freeman enters for Joe Scally.

Kenan Yıldız shot for Turkiye

71' Kenan Yıldız receives on the left, cuts inside with a feint and attempts a curling shot, but it goes just wide for Turkiye.

Match resumes

70' Play restarts after the hydration break with both USMNT and Turkiye looking to regain rhythm in a balanced second half.

Hydration break

66' The referee stops play for a hydration break with both teams taking a short pause before the match resumes.

Weston McKennie header off target for USMNT

65' A corner from the right taken by Sebastian Berhalter finds Weston McKennie in the box, but his header goes wide for the USMNT.

Christian Pulisic hits the post for USMNT

63' A cross from the right finds Ricardo Pepi, who cannot finish the chance and the ball rebounds into Christian Pulisic’s path, whose shot crashes against the post for the USMNT.

Christian Pulisic chance for USMNT

61' Christian Pulisic breaks down the left side, gets into the box and instead of passing he goes for goal, but the Turkiye goalkeeper makes the save. The rebound falls to Giovanni Reyna, who cannot finish the chance.

Christian Pulisic in substitution for USMNT

57' Christian Pulisic comes on for Tim Weah in the USMNT lineup as they look to add more attacking threat in the second half.

USMNT possession under control in midfield

53' The USMNT circulate the ball while Turkiye stay in possession at times but keep it far from the opposition goal, with both sides slowing the tempo in midfield.

GOAAAAAAAAL Sebastian Berhalter goal for USMNT

48' A series of rebounds inside the box leaves the ball for Sebastian Berhalter at the edge of the area, and he strikes first time with a low shot to score and level the match for the USMNT.

Second half kickoff

The second half gets underway with Turkiye leading 2-1 over the USMNT as both teams restart play looking for control and early chances.

Halftime

45+6' The referee brings the first half to an end with Turkiye leading USMNT after an intense opening period filled with chances at both ends.

Auston Trusty header over the bar for USMNT

45+3' A corner from the right is delivered into the box, and Auston Trusty rises well to head the ball, but it goes just over the crossbar for USMNT.

First half stoppage time

45' The referee adds six minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Weston McKennie shot saved for USMNT

44' Weston McKennie takes a low shot from distance, but the Turkiye goalkeeper reacts well and makes a solid save to keep it out.

Weston McKennie chance creation for USMNT

38' Weston McKennie plays a deep ball over the top for Tim Weah, who brings it under control and sends a weak low cross into the area, but the Turkiye goalkeeper gathers it safely.

USMNT lose control after Turkiye goal

33' After the goal, USMNT look disorganized and leave too much space in midfield, allowing Turkiye to settle into the game and push forward more comfortably.

GOOOOOAAAAALLL! Orkun Kökçü scores for Turkiye

30' Kenan Yıldız drives down the left side inside the box and pulls a low cutback pass across the area, where Orkun Kökçü arrives to finish and score for Turkiye.

Mark McKenzie has goal disallowed for USMNT

29' A corner from the right creates a scramble inside the box and Mark McKenzie finishes, but the referee rules it out for offside.

Play resumes

26' The match restarts after the hydration break, with USMNT and Turkiye returning to the pitch and play continuing.

Hydration break

23' The referee calls a hydration break as both USMNT and Turkiye head to the sidelines to rehydrate and receive instructions from their coaches.

Yellow card for Sebastian Berhalter

19' Sebastian Berhalter receives a yellow card after a strong tackle in midfield for USMNT.

USMNT vs Turkiye open match

16' The match is end to end, with both USMNT and Turkiye pushing forward in search of more goals.

Brenden Aaronson shoots for USMNT

12' Brenden Aaronson gets a shot off from inside the area, aiming low, but it goes straight into the hands of the Turkiye goalkeeper Altay Bayındır.

GOOOOOAAAAALLL! Arda Güler scores for Turkiye

9' Arda Güler combines well with Barış Alper Yılmaz, who returns the ball to the left-footed midfielder before he finishes accurately to score for Turkiye.

USMNT start with intensity

7' USMNT look fully focused from the opening minutes, playing with the intensity of a team that has not already secured qualification.

GOOOOOAAAAALLL! Auston Trusty scores for USMNT

3' A deep cross from a USMNT corner on the left finds Auston Trusty at the back post, and he controls the ball before finishing to score.

Auston Trusty denied by Uğurcan Çakır for USMNT

2' A corner from the right creates a major chance for USMNT as the rebound falls to Auston Trusty, who fires a low shot that Uğurcan Çakır saves well.

USMNT’s unusual opening play

1' USMNT kicks the ball straight out of play from kickoff in an attempt to press like Paris Saint-Germain, but it hits the corner flag and remains in play.

Kickoff

The match between the USMNT and Turkiye begins.

Turkiye's list

USMNT's list

The referees

The referees for this match are Mustapha Ghorbal (referee, Algeria), Mokrane Gourari (assistant referee 1, Algeria), Abbes Akram Zerhouni (assistant referee 2, Algeria), Omar Mohamed Ahmed Hassan Al Ali (fourth official, UAE), Antonio García (video assistant referee, Uruguay) and Mahmoud Mohamed Ashour (assistant video assistant referee, Egypt).

Christian Pulisic on rotating players

Christian Pulisic told the media: “Obviously, if it were a must-win game, maybe things are a little bit different, but at the end of the day, we still want to take this serious, want to try to get another result, and yeah, manage myself and the team as best we can.”

USMNT’s next match

While the USMNT do not yet know their next opponent for certain, with Bosnia and Herzegovina the most likely rival, it is confirmed that the match will be played on July 1 in San Francisco.

Confirmed lineups

USMNT: Turner; Scally, Trusty, M. Robinson, McKenzie; Berhalter, McKennie; Aaronson, Reyna, Weah; Pepi.
Turkiye: Çakir; Çelik, Elmali, Bardakçi, Kabak; Özcan, Kökçü, Güler, Yildiz, Yilmaz, Aydin.

The stadium

The venue for this match is SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, United States. It has a capacity of 70,240.

Welcome!

Welcome to live coverage of the match between the USMNT and Turkiye.

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