The United States men’s national soccer team suffered a 3-2 defeat against Turkey on June 25 in their final Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending their unbeaten run in the tournament. The loss came in the closing moments of the game, with Turkey scoring on the final play. Despite the setback, the result did not affect the USMNT’s position atop their group, as they had already secured first place and advanced to the round of 32.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino deployed a largely reserve lineup for the match, resting several key starters, including Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards, and Antonee Robinson, all of whom were at risk of suspension due to yellow card accumulation. The decision aimed to preserve his first-choice players for the knockout stages and provide valuable World Cup minutes to backup players. Pulisic returned to the lineup for the first time since the Paraguay game, while Brenden Aaronson and Weston McKennie were among those tasked with stepping up.

The USMNT struggled to find cohesion early on, with moments of disorganization and defensive lapses allowing Turkey to exploit gaps and challenge the American defense. The match started poorly, exemplified by Gio Reyna’s misdirected opening kickoff. Turkey, already eliminated but motivated by pride, applied physical pressure throughout the match. The U.S. rebounded in the second half, with Sebastian Berhalter scoring from a set piece to equalize. However, missed scoring opportunities by Aaronson, Pulisic, and McKennie prevented the U.S. from taking the lead. Turkey ultimately secured their first goal of the tournament in stoppage time to seal their victory.

Team captain Tim Ream, who did not feature in the game, emphasized that this squad represented a different lineup from the dominant team that led the U.S. to top their group. “We’re exactly where we expected ourselves to be, where we want to be,” Ream said. He urged the team to return to the style displayed in the opening two group stage matches for the knockout rounds in Bosnia-Herzegovina. “If we do that, then we give ourselves the best possible chance to continue to move on,” he added.

Pochettino defended the choice to field a rotated squad, stressing that competition and game experience remain vital for the entire 26-man roster. “Winning this game or not winning this game is not going to change. The most important is that we compete,” he said. Players acknowledged the subpar performance but remained optimistic about the team’s readiness for future rounds.

While Tuesday’s loss raised concerns about depth, it is not expected to detract from the team’s overall prospects. The United States is set to face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32, where the starting lineup is anticipated to return to full strength. The defeat serves as a reminder of the challenges of squad rotation at the World Cup level, but with key players rested and available, the U.S. remains positioned to advance further in the tournament.