U.S. Men’s National Team Loses 3-2 to Turkey but Advances from Group Stage

The U.S. men’s national team lost 3-2 to Turkey on Thursday in Inglewood, California. Turkey scored the winning goal in the 98th minute when Kaan Ayhan fired between goalkeeper Matt Turner’s legs. Auston Trusty scored for the U.S.

Within the first two minutes. Turkey answered with two goals before halftime. Sebastian Berhalter scored for the U.S. in the 49th minute. Christian Pulisic entered as a substitute in the 58th minute after missing the previous four halves with a calf injury first suffered during training in early June.

Pulisic struck the post in the 63rd minute and shot just wide in the 77th minute. NBC News reported that coach Mauricio Pochettino rotated out nine starters and gave seven players their first minutes of the tournament. The U.S.

Had already topped its group after earlier wins of 4-1 against Paraguay and 2-0 against Australia. Turkey had already been eliminated. The U.S. finished the group stage with eight goals, the most by the men’s national team at any single World Cup.

Berhalter added, “You saw his quality and you saw when he came in the impact he had. ” The U.S. will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara, California. Bosnia and Herzegovina finished third in Group B behind Canada and Switzerland.

The U.S. has reached the knockout round in three of its last four World Cups.