USMNT Falls 2-1 to Turkey in Gold Cup Preparation
The United States men's national team suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Turkey at Pratt & Whitney Stadium on Saturday, marking the squad's third consecutive loss under Mauricio Pochettino. Despite fielding an experimental lineup with an average age of 23.8 years, the Americans showed early promise before costly mistakes derailed their performance.
Jack McGlynn provided the perfect start, scoring a spectacular left-footed curler from 23 yards just 59 seconds into the match. The Houston Dynamo midfielder cut inside from the right wing and found the far corner with a thunderbolt that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
However, the lead evaporated during a disastrous three-minute span in the first half. Johnny Cardoso's attempted pass from his own penalty area ricocheted off Turkey's Arda Güler and into the net in the 24th minute. Three minutes later, defensive confusion allowed Kerem Aktürkoğlu to capitalize on a failed clearance from Miles Robinson.
"Until we conceded we were playing so well," Pochettino said. "We were better than Turkey. [The giveaway goal] was a massive impact for us in the emotion."
The defeat extends troubling trends for the Americans, who are now experiencing their first three-game losing streak under one manager in nearly a decade. With 369 days until the 2026 World Cup on home soil, Pochettino faces significant challenges in identifying his core group and building chemistry among players competing for roster spots.
The team will have one final preparation match against Switzerland in Nashville on Tuesday before beginning Gold Cup play against Trinidad and Tobago.
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