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Arda Güler’s slightest moment of brilliance created victory for Türkiye. It was the type of play we would expect from Christian Pulisic before 00 and he almost didn’t do it again last night.
Pulisic nearly pulled a rabbit out of his hat several times, creating some late opportunities for the United States. He looked extremely sharp and dangerous every time he took the ball. That was one of the positives for the United States in the second half, during which we got back into the game against a good team.
What’s important to know after this match, which saw nine changes from the starting lineup against Australia last week: If the United States replicates what it did in its first two matches against Paraguay and Australia with its best XI, it will beat Bosnia and Herzegovina.
While the loss is disappointing, it shouldn’t take away from the fact that this team earned the opener in Group D with a game to spare, broke the record for most goals scored by a U.S. team in the group stage of the World Cup, and is now preparing for its match in the round of 32.
Now let’s look at my player ratings for this one:
Turner conceded three goals that night. I can’t necessarily point it out for all of them, but this is the highest rating I can give them on a night where we conceded three goals in a loss.
Matt Turner wasn’t at fault for any of the goals, but Türkiye still beat him three times. (Dave Bernal/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Rating · 5
Rating · 5
Türkiye’s three goals were not shots from distance. All were goals that crossed the six-yard box.
I felt that both McKenzie and Robinson could have done better on the three goals, whether cutting play further up the pitch or defending in the six or 18 yard box. While both had some good moments on the ball and made some late plays on defense, it was a tough night and both could have done better in the goals conceded.
Miles Robinson (right) and Mark McKenzie were not at their best against Türkiye. (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Rating · 6
Auston had a mixed night which began with the highlight of scoring the first goal, which he took advantage of very well.
I thought he defended well as a centre-back playing out of position as a full-back, but he had his own problems that night. It was difficult to see him recover late from the ankle injury, which made it more difficult to defend Türkiye against the winner in injury time.
Coming into this game, we’re talking about guys who had a chance to really take advantage of these minutes and make a good impression. Scally absolutely fits into that category.
Scally had a difficult night defending Türkiye’s attack on the right side of the American defense and was unable to capitalize on that opportunity.
Rating · 7
Weston was the best player on the field for the United States before Christian entered the second half. He was the only player to start all three games for the United States, and you would expect other players to feed off that and his energy.
McKennie was influential throughout the game and it was clear he was a starter for this midfield group.
Rating · 7
I thought he was unpredictable in the first half. He had some positive moments, but the early yellow card slowed him down a bit. In the second half, he was an important part of America’s resurgence and was very influential.
Sebastian will get a higher rating because he had two great moments in this game. Especially at this stage of the tournament, goals and assists are very valuable.
It was the corner kick that saw Trusty open the scoring before hitting a stunning shot into the net to tie the game at 2-2 early in the second.
Rating · 5
I was excited to see Gio get more minutes and really take control of the game. I wanted to see him be decisive, especially higher up the pitch.
It seemed as if he floated in and out of the game. We know its capacity and that it can be a decisive factor in the future. I didn’t see it consistently against Türkiye.
When he’s at his best, we know how dangerous Tim can be. He can use his pace to get behind the backline and be direct when taking on defenders one on one.
This was not a night that you will remember fondly and want to leave behind.
One thing to consider is that he could have had a better night if he had played on the right side, where he could potentially have been more direct.
Timothy Weah was replaced in the 58th minute by Christian Pulisic, who looked good on his return from injury. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
I am seeing his performance similar to Weah. There were a couple of moments where he took the ball and looked really dangerous. They attacked the space they had been given and looked to get behind the Türkiye defense in the first half.
Ultimately, I want to see Brenden put a bigger stamp on the games. I’m looking at guys like him, Weah and Reyna as guys I want to pull the strings on in the final third and make things happen so it’s not all down to Pulisic when he’s on the pitch.
Rating · 5
Pepi had a couple of runs behind the Türkiye defense that perhaps could have turned into chances if his first touch had been a little more precise to shoot.
In general, I’m not so worried about Pepi always being connected to the game. As long as he is in the right places at the right time to cause problems for the defense, whether creating his own shot in the 18-yard box or extending play further up the field, he will be fine.
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Next up for the United States: Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.
