USMNT loss to Türkiye leaves Pochettino with depth questions before knockouts

The United States lost 3-2 to Türkiye at SoFi Stadium after Kaan Ayhan scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time. The result did not change the U.S. group position, but it gave Mauricio Pochettino a sharp reminder of the risks that come with heavy rotation.

Pochettino changed much of his lineup with the U.S. already assured of top spot and several regular starters carrying yellow-card concerns. Auston Trusty put the Americans ahead in the second minute from a Sebastian Berhalter corner, but Türkiye answered through Arda Güler and Orkun Kökçü before halftime.

Berhalter responded with a 49th-minute equalizer, and Christian Pulisic’s 58th-minute introduction helped the U.S. attack look more connected. Pulisic also hit the post, though Türkiye still found the late winner after a move involving Güler.

For the U.S., the match offered valuable minutes to players outside the usual first-choice group, but it also exposed issues in defensive organisation and late-game concentration. With the knockout stage ahead, the key editorial question is whether this was a useful warning or a sign that the squad’s margin for error is thinner than hoped.