USMNT Falls to Türkiye in Last-Minute Loss, Ending Perfect World Cup Group Stage Run

The United States men’s national team saw its flawless run in the 2026 World Cup group stage come to a sudden halt on Thursday night. Despite securing top position in Group D after two commanding wins, the final match at SoFi Stadium took a dramatic turn.

With the stakes technically low, the USMNT faced Türkiye in a thrilling encounter that finished 3-2 against the Americans, thanks to a stoppage-time goal by substitute Kaan Ayhan.

Lineup Changes and Early Sparks

Coach Mauricio Pochettino rested key players like Christian Pulisic, who had missed previous games due to a calf injury, while giving starts to fresh faces including goalkeeper Matt Turner and defenders Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, and Joe Scally. The new look didn’t slow down the U.S., as Trusty opened the scoring within three minutes, capitalizing on a precise assist from Sebastian Berhalter.

Yet, despite this early advantage, the U.S. defense struggled against Türkiye’s attacks. Arda Güler and his teammates penetrated the backline twice before halftime, with Barış Alper-Yilmaz and Orkun Kökçü scoring to give Türkiye a 2-1 lead.

Second Half Comeback and Late Drama

The second half saw a resurgence from the Americans. Berhalter blasted an equalizer just minutes after the break, demonstrating his growing impact. Soon after, Pulisic entered to cheers from the crowd, threatening several times but unable to find the winning goal.

The match grew intense, with Trusty suffering an ankle injury late in the game and the U.S. running out of substitutions. Just as the Americans seemed poised to salvage a point, defensive lapses in stoppage time allowed Türkiye to launch a decisive attack. Güler's skillful run led to a cross that Kaan Ayhan finished, sealing a painful loss for the U.S.

Looking Ahead

Despite the setback, the U.S. advances to the Round of 32, where they will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California. With a largely rested squad and momentum from earlier wins, the team must regroup quickly to address defensive vulnerabilities exposed by Türkiye.

Match Highlights

• Auston Trusty scored in the 3rd minute, marking the USMNT’s second-fastest World Cup goal ever.
• Türkiye responded with goals from Barış Alper-Yılmaz and Orkun Kökçü before halftime.
• Sebastian Berhalter netted a powerful equalizer early in the second half.
• Christian Pulisic made his first appearance since the opening match, creating multiple scoring chances.
• In the dying moments, Kaan Ayhan scored the winner for Türkiye during stoppage time.

Defensive Struggles Costly in Final Moments

The U.S. defense, which had shown strength in earlier matches, was repeatedly tested and eventually broken down at the worst possible moment. The last-minute goal highlighted the persistent challenges in maintaining concentration and organization under pressure.

Still, the team’s ability to adapt and score quickly—even with a rotated lineup—shows promise heading into knockout rounds. The challenge now lies in tightening their defense and capitalizing on offensive opportunities when they count most.