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The United States men’s national soccer team lost its final Group D match to Türkiye, 3-2, when Kaan Ayhan scored on the last shot of the game in a crushing blow for the home country.
The only caveat, and the most important one: this match never influenced their chances of winning the FIFA World Cup.
Yes, Team USA was trying to build momentum into the round of 32 next week, and even make history for the country as the first team to win three World Cup games. Instead, it’s mild Los Angeles angst.
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Sebastian Berhalter of the United States celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match between Türkiye 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 return home on a high note as they celebrate their hard-fought victory against a USMNT team that saw nine changes to the starting lineup by head coach Mauricio Pochettino to keep the players fresh for next week.
The crowd shook during the national anthem, but all of Inglewood, California, probably felt the moment Auston Trusty scored off a Sebastian Berhalter corner kick just three minutes into the game against Türkiye.
Trusty sprinted toward the United States bench as the sold-out crowd at Los Angeles Stadium was ecstatic.
But Türkiye, despite having no chance of moving forward in the tournament, did not emerge victorious from this match. Just seven minutes later, Arda Güler, Real Madrid’s 21-year-old star, took advantage of soft American coverage and dunked a ball past Matt Turner, replacing Matt Freese in the net, to tie the game at one apiece.
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It was a physical match as the United States showed that this match still meant something as they looked to make history as the only team to win three World Cup matches. Meanwhile, Türkiye were playing for pride and it was written on their faces.
However, it was Türkiye who was the first to break the deadlock, as Orkun Kökçü had a clear look right in front of goal thanks to solid passing around the American box. He touched it and the crowd calmed down a little.
Auston Trusty of the United States celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match between Türkiye 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 leading the way, 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 played just 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 match and, rather than leave him out until the round of 32, Pochettino thought it wise to give him time. He immediately made an impact, forcing Türkiye back into their defensive zone, and that eventually led to a moment where a throw-in led to a pinball that landed on Berhalter’s foot.
Berhalter shot low and, in traffic, the ball beat the Türkiye goalkeeper to tie it at two apiece. Once again, it was barely three minutes into the break and all the momentum fell to the home country.
Both teams did everything possible to break the tie once again, with Pulisic having the best opportunity with a left footed shot that skimmed the left post. However, Ayhan’s heroic slide to kick the ball into the back of the American net is how this match ended just before the final whistle.
American Gio Reyna and Turkey’s Orkun Kokcu fight for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and the United States in Inglewood, California, near Los Angeles, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The USMNT will play their round of 32 match on July 1 at 8 pm in the San Francisco Bay Area.
