The United States men’s national soccer team lost its final Group D match to Turkey, 3-2, as Kaan Ayhan scored on the final shot of the game, sealing the win for Turkey, according to reports. Despite the loss, the U.S. team advanced to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup, aiming to become the first American team to win three World Cup matches in a single tournament.
The match took place at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California. The U.S. squad made nine changes to its starting lineup, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino seeking to keep players fresh for the next round. The early goal from Auston Trusty, who scored from Sebastian Berhalter’s corner kick three minutes into the game, energized the home crowd. However, Turkey responded quickly, with 21-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler leveling the score in the seventh minute.
Turkey then took the lead before halftime when Orkun Kökçü scored from close range, giving the European team a 2-1 advantage at the break. Christian Pulisic, who returned from a left calf injury, made an immediate impact in the second half, helping the U.S. equalize with a low shot that slipped past the Turkish goalkeeper. Despite several chances, including Pulisic’s near-miss, Turkey’s Ayhan scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, ending the match 3-2.
The U.S. will face its round of 32 opponent on July 1 at 8 p.m. in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to tournament schedules. The team’s focus now shifts to the knockout stage, where they aim to make history with their third World Cup win, sources said. Coverage will continue across Fox News Digital platforms.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
