Mauricio Pochettino oversaw a third consecutive defeat for the United States men as they fell 2-1 to Turkey in a rain-filled friendly from Hartford on Saturday.
The USMNT was largely the better team throughout much of the match, largely in the second half, but were turned away time and time again in the attacking third.
Jack McGlynn’s first-minute stunner gave the U.S. an exciting early advantage, and was the first of many quality moves forward. Yet a mistake-filled 15-minute stretch midway through the first half proved their ultimate demise, as Johnny Cardoso’s awful possessional error saw Arda Guler equalize while Kerem Akturkoglu put Turkey in front three minutes later.
From there, the U.S. improved, especially as Tyler Adams came on after the break to replace Cardoso. Yet they struggled to profit in front of goal, as Patrick Agyemang and Malik Tillman both missed huge chances while others also came up empty on various occasions.
With the Gold Cup to come shortly and the World Cup on home soil in a year’s time, the result feels like yet another step back for a side missing many of its best players and still unable to show tangible improvement.
The Sporting News followed the USMNT vs. Turkey match live, providing updates, commentary and player ratings.
Latest goals and highlights | Player ratings | Team news and lineups | Full match stats
USA vs. Turkey final score
| Score | Goal scorers | |
| USA | 1 | McGlynn (1′) |
| Turkey | 2 | Guler (23′), Akturkoglu (27′) |
Location: Rentschler Field (Hartford, CT)
Kickoff: 3:40 p.m. ET / 12:40 p.m. PT
Starting lineups:
USA (4-2-3-1, right to left): 25. Freese (GK) — 16. Freeman, 3. Richards, 12. M. Robinson (McKenzie, 46′), 27. Arfsten (Harriel, 65′) — 15. Cardoso (Adams, 46′), 14. de la Torre — 6. McGlynn (Q. Sullivan, 65′), 17. Tillman, 10. Luna (Wright, 65′) — 24. Agyemang (White, 74′).
Turkey (4-2-3-1, right to left): 12. Ozer (GK) — 2. Celik, 3. Demiral, 4. Soyuncu (Akcicek, 76′), 13. Elmali (Eskihellac, 76′) — 16. Yuksek, 20. Aydin (Yilmaz, 66′) — 10. Guler, 6. Kokcu (Ayhan, 66′), 11. Yildiz (Kahveci, 76′) — 7. Akturkoglu (Uzun, 84′).
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USA vs. Turkey stats
| USA | Stat | Turkey |
| 13 | Shots | 11 |
| 3 | Shots on target | 5 |
| 1.19 | Expected goals | 1.42 |
| 59% | Possession | 41% |
| 562 | Accurate passes | 372 |
| 4 | Corners | 5 |
| 14 | Fouls | 8 |
| 1 | Yellow cards | 1 |
USA vs. Turkey highlights: Goals, key events
FULLTIME: USA 1-2 Turkey
While the performance looked promising throughout, it’s another utterly disappointing result as the U.S. fails to find an equalizer. They created a few good chances and failed to take advantage, but were also turned away for large stretches of the match despite good attacking intent.
The hosts displayed good effort, especially down the stretch as they pressured Turkey heavily, but just could not come up with the key moment to put the ball in the net.
A third consecutive defeat is not the direction Mauricio Pochettino will want to see his team moving in with more important competitive matches on the horizon.
85th min: A yellow card is shown to Nathan Harriel who fouls Irfan Kahveci on the touchline.
82nd min: Chance, Turkey! A HUGE MISS WITH THE CHANCE TO PUT THE GAME AWAY! An awful giveaway by Malik Tillman off a U.S. corner results in a vicious Turkey counter-attack against a U.S. side thrown forward in search of an equalizer.
It’s fed forward by Arda Guler and brought all the way into the attacking third one-on-one by Akturkoglu who has the space advantage but doesn’t ever look confident, and his eventual shot is blasted wide of the frame!
78th min: The game’s first yellow card is shown to Turkey substitute Yusuf Akcicek just two minutes after coming on, as Malik Tillman presses very well and gets in position to win the ball before being clipped by the defender.
61st min: Chance, USA! The U.S. has completely bossed the game since halftime, and missed a few wide-open chances, but none worse than this as Malik Tillman heads STRAIGHT at the goalkeeper from point-blank range!
After a first-time strike from Jack McGlynn (who probably should have passed it to Tillman) was blocked, it falls to Tyler Adams at full speed who bombs on the ball to the right side of the six-yard box. From there, he floats a gorgeous cross right to an unmarked Tillman at the far post, where he leaps and makes good contact, and has to score…but somehow puts it straight into the goalkeeper’s gut! What a massive miss!
2nd half kickoff: Looks like Tyler Adams will come on to begin the second half, with the struggling Johnny Cardoso leaving the field. Also entering is Mark McKenzie, who replaces Miles Robinson at the back. Those two are likely in competition for the second starting center-back spot alongside Chris Richards.
HALFTIME: USA 1-2 Turkey
The halftime whistle blows as the United States trail at the break. The hosts honestly played pretty well throughout most of that first half, but a mistake-prone 10-minute stretch through the middle of the half proved their demise. Johnny Cardoso’s awful blunder was the most glaring error, but many U.S. players were to blame for the Turkey advantage.
There was a good attacking intent from the U.S. that half, but they ultimately struggled to get Malik Tillman on the ball enough to get more action on the Turkey goal mouth.
Arda Güler and Kerem Aktürkoğlu catch USMNT sleeping.
Türkiye respond with two goals in two minutes to take the lead 💨
Watch the game on TNT and Max 📺 pic.twitter.com/sq4atudbrS
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 7, 2025
24th min: GOAL! TURKEY! OH NO, IT’S A TERRIBLE MISTAKE BY JOHNNY CARDOSO! In possession in his own penalty area and under no threat whatsoever, the Real Betis midfielder hangs onto the ball far too long and invites pressure from Arda Guler who pokes the ball off his feet and into the U.S. net! What a terrible mistake!
One of the weirdest goals you’ll see. 🫨
The USMNT’s Johnny Cardoso tries to clear but it bounces off Arda Guler and into the net for a Turkiye equalizer.
📺 Telemundo, NBC Universo & Peacock pic.twitter.com/9yHJUikZxK
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 7, 2025
1st min: GOAL! USA! JACK MCGLYNN WITH AN ABSOLUTE STUNNER WITH THE GAME ONLY JUST HAVING STARTED!!!!!
He takes the ball from his own half and charges into the attacking third, cutting onto his left with nobody stopping his run, before BURYING it from 22 yards out with his magical left foot! The goalkeeper had no chance!
Jack McGlynn after one minute.
WHAT. A. HIT. 💥🇺🇸
Watch the game on TNT and Max 📺 pic.twitter.com/4M4eOHS6hJ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 7, 2025
Kickoff: The match is under way in the Hartford rain, as Patrick Agyemang starts in his hometown! It has been over 10 years since the USMNT played Turkey, with four all-time matches dating back to 1991. The U.S. has won two, drawn one, and lost one against today’s opponent.
Lineups: The USMNT lineup is in! Mauricio Pochettino has handed starts to a few players who are looking to make an impact and earn more playing time. Regular starters Matt Turner and Tyler Adams are sat on the bench, with Matt Freese given a shot in goal while Luca de la Torre plays in midfield.
The only players from this XI who can consider themselves actual first-team regulars are Chris Richards, Johnny Cardoso, and maybe Malik Tillman. Everyone else is fighting for a place, and even those guys are on the edge.
🗣️ U-S-A pic.twitter.com/ma4E30VDe4
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) June 7, 2025
Prematch: Welcome to coverage of USA vs. Turkey from The Sporting News! The USMNT begins its ramp-up to the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a pair of international friendlies, starting with this Saturday matinee against Turkey.
Pochettino has lost a lot of good will thanks to recent adverse results, and the federation’s decision not to call in its best players this summer has frustrated fans. Two defeats in these friendlies against European opposition could see Pochettino’s record fall to an evenly split five wins and five defeats since taking charge, which would fail to inspire confidence in the squad regardless of the Gold Cup performance.
Mauricio Pochettino’s record with USMNT since being appointed manager last year 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cY8QNJtqla
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) June 7, 2025
USA vs. Turkey player ratings
All USMNT players will be scored on a 1-10 scale for their performance in the match, with commentary on their notable contributions as the game progresses.
USMNT starters
Goalkeeper: Matt Freese — 6
With Mauricio Pochettino’s summer theme of competition for places, NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese was handed the start over regular Matt Turner.
Freese made a sensational save in the 23rd minute to tip a long-shot by Orkun Kokcu over the crossbar, and there was little he could do about either goal really. Turkey had just one shot in the second half until stoppage time, so he had nothing to do after the break.
Right-back: Alex Freeman — 6
The USMNT roster this summer is thin with very few right-sided players, so Alex Freeman was always a likely choice to be deployed along the back line, as he is the only natural right-back in the squad.
He lost a runner down the flank in the 18th minute, which resulted in a huge chance for Turkey which Arda Guler embarrassingly missed. He was, however, strong on the overlap and got forward often, helping with attacking moves in the final third, which was promising in the absence of Sergino Dest.
Center-back: Chris Richards — 7
Fresh off his FA Cup title with Crystal Palace, Chris Richards captains the side as one of the only true regulars in today’s starting lineup.
Richards was largely solid at the back, both on and off the ball. While his possession under the press felt a little shaky at times, he never gave the ball away in bad areas and tracked runners well. Was a commanding presence along the back line as he directed the defensive structure.
He was a safe presence at the back as the U.S. took more risks pushing forward in search of an equalizer, and he made good on that confidence as he remained stout defensively while under pressure, often one-on-one or one-on-two.
Center-back: Miles Robinson — 6
With Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman probably still ahead of Miles Robinson on the depth chart, the latter was given a chance to impress Mauricio Pochettino against a difficult opponent.
Solid on and off the ball, including a strong defensive moment in space where he beat a runner to a vertical through ball one-on-one to prevent a chance.
He was brought off at halftime, which Pochettino confirmed was because they wanted to “share game time” with Mark McKenzie. They’re clearly competing for depth chart positioning with Mark McKenzie, who was given the second half to earn a place.
Pochettino says the #USMNT took risks with their back line because they knew Turkey liked to play long balls. “We suffered at times defensively” which he says was intentional.
Sounded to me like praise for the 3 center-backs who dealt with the long balls well.
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) June 7, 2025
Left-back: Max Arfsten — 5
The USMNT has searched for a capable backup to Antonee Robinson on the left side of the defense, and with Jedi out this summer after knee surgery, Max Arfsten has the opportunity to show what he can do with the chance to play consistent national team minutes.
Arfsten was largely an afterthought through the first half, playing the defensive-minded full-back role while Alex Freeman bombed forward. That’s a good thing for a defender in his role, but he also whiffed on all three of his cross attempts.
His 51st minute header was a massive opportunity to level the match, and he put it over the bar.
Midfielder: Johnny Cardoso — 4
After a very successful season with his Spanish side Real Betis and hoping to earn a move to a bigger club (potentially Atletico Madrid or Tottenham), Johnny Cardoso hopes to prove this summer he is capable of translating his quality club performances to the national team level.
Unfortunately, this match was nothing of the sort, as once again Johnny struggled mightily in a USMNT shirt. He was entirely at fault for the first Turkey goal as Arda Guler just nicked the ball off his feet 10 yards from goal, and then was caught in possession 10 minutes later to cough up another chance for the visitors. An utterly terrible first half for Johnny, who was asked to do far too much on the ball for someone whose biggest strengths lie largely in the defensive areas.
Hooked at halftime for Tyler Adams, at which point the U.S. got much, much better.
Midfielder: Luca de la Torre — 8
Seemingly down the USMNT midfield pecking order after a winter move to San Diego FC in MLS, Luca de la Torre has a chance to show Mauricio Pochettino that he can still help this team.
He was strong in possession throughout the match, not missing with any of his 37 first-half pass attempts. He had six passes into the final third through the opening 45 minutes, and many of the best U.S. attacking moves flowed through him.
De la Torre had a great chance early in the second half off a corner, but skied the shot horribly. Otherwise, he was exceptional on the ball as the game progressed, ushering possession safely when necessary and moving the ball forward when given the chance. His cross to Max Arfsten in the 51st minute resulted in a big USMNT chance that the full-back missed, and he continued to demand the ball in the buildup to great effect.
De la Torre was the best U.S. player in the match, and should have been given more chances to begin attacking moves for his side. A really promising performance that could earn him more time as the Gold Cup approaches.
Right wing: Jack McGlynn — 7
Having secured a switch to Houston Dynamo from his boyhood club Philadelphia Union, midfielder Jack McGlynn has turned heads with a strong start to the MLS season. With a severe lack of right-sided players on the roster, Mauricio Pochettino deployed the natural midfielder as a tucked in right winger, and it worked to perfection, catching Turkey completely off guard and resulting in a second-minute goal for McGlynn cutting inside on his magical left foot.
McGlynn came back and defended or helped in possessional build-up when needed, but he also made wonderful runs forward when necessary. Departed in the 65th minute having contributed on both sides of the ball, and likely will get more opportunities after a strong performance that included the only U.S. goal.
No. 10: Malik Tillman — 5
Malik Tillman was one of the most impressive Americans throughout this European club season, but an injury cut short his campaign. Now healthy again and back to full fitness, he is ready to show what he can do for the national team, having looked impressive for PSV across much of the season.
Unfortunately, Tillman was largely invisible through the first half against Turkey, as Diego Luna and Jack McGlynn were more influential in the wide areas than Tillman was through the middle.
Missed an ENORMOUS chance in the 60th minute when he headed Tyler Adams’ exceptional cross right at the goalkeeper from point-blank range. An utterly awful miss. His giveaway in the 83rd minute off a corner resulted in a massive Turkey counter-attack which should have put the game away.
Left wing: Diego Luna — 6
After a very impressive showing last fall, Diego Luna seems to have earned the plaudits and confidence of Mauricio Pochettino, handed a chance to impress against Turkey.
Luna had a few good moments, and showed his trademark high work rate, but was ultimately bereft of any truly creative moments through the first 45 minutes. After the break though, Luna’s high pressing created a massive opportunity for Patrick Agyemang, with his tackle in the Turkey penalty area seeing his teammate have a wide open hit.
Forward: Patrick Agyemang — 5
With Ricardo Pepi out injured and Folarin Balogun picking up an ankle problem early in camp, it left Patrick Agyemang as the likely starter up front for the Gold Cup, ready to lead the attacking line from the No. 9 position in his hometown of Hartford.
Agyemang battled very hard with an experienced European defender in Merih Demiral, and while he didn’t get the best of the Turkey captain in the first 45 minutes, he put up a good fight. He troubled Demiral on multiple occasions, requiring the most from the defender’s physicality to keep Agyemang from putting a good effort on frame.
Had a huge early second-half chance to equalize but hit the strike right at the goalkeeper. Ultimately left without a goal, and likely wishing he’d offered more. The search for a prolific striker continues.
USMNT substitutes
Mark McKenzie (46′) — 6
Came on for Miles Robinson at the break and partnered with Chris Richards at the back. Was strong defensively and safe possessionally.
Tyler Adams (46′) — 8
Entered for Johnny Cardoso at halftime. Played the captain role well, as he was in command of the team throughout his time on the pitch. He got forward when necessary, picking up a loose ball and feeding a picture-perfect cross to the head of Malik Tillman at the far post, but he headed it right at the goalkeeper from point blank range. Made some extremely energetic runs forward as well.
An enormous improvement over Johnny Cardoso as the off-ball partner to Luca de la Torre.
Nathan Harriel (65′) — 5
Entered after the hour mark for Max Arfsten, hoping to make an impact with the U.S. trailing by one. Found himself booked with a late tackle and only managed 19 touches in 25+ minutes.
Quinn Sullivan (65′) — 5
Came on to replace the goal scorer Jack McGlynn past the hour mark. Made little to no impact until stoppage time when it was too little, too late.
Haji Wright (65′) — 6
Had 25 minutes to make a difference up front as he replaced a hard-working Diego Luna. Had an immediate impact as he created a good-looking chance with physical play on the end line. He was involved in a lot of buildup play down the left, but never managed to put the U.S. level. He was dispossessed with a big chance to create space in stoppage time.
Brian White (74′) — 4
Came on for Patrick Agyemang with 15 minutes to go. Failed to get a single touch in the opposition penalty area.
USA vs. Turkey lineups, team news
For their final competitive matches before next summer’s World Cup on home soil, the United States are without a significant number of first-team regulars for myriad reasons.
The likes of Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah were left off the roster at the players’ behest, having asked to rest for the summer. Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna are all participating in the Club World Cup and have stayed with their clubs, while Josh Sargent, Joe Scally, and Tanner Tessmann were all passed over for “football reasons” as Pochettino described it.
MORE: A full breakdown of the USMNT roster for the 2025 Gold Cup
Meanwhile, Antonee Robinson had knee surgery to solve a chronic issue that has plagued him for months, Folarin Balogun sustained an ankle injury, Ricardo Pepi continues to rehab from a long-term knee injury, Sergino Dest withdrew from the squad to protect his recent recovery from a torn ACL, and Zack Steffen suffered a knee injury in pre-tournament camp.
The list of absentees is long and brings a disappointing atmosphere to the Gold Cup before it even begins. It also means there is a severe lack of right-sided players on the roster, meaning Pochettino will have to get creative.
USA starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Freese (GK) — Freeman, Richards, M. Robinson, Arfsten — Cardoso, de la Torre — McGlynn, Tillman, Luna — Agyemang.
USA subs: Turner (GK), Brady (GK), Tolkin, McKenzie, Ream, Zimmerman, Harriel, Adams, Q. Sullivan, P. Aaronson, Berhalter, B. Aaronson, Downs, White, Wright.
Unlike the United States, Turkey have a nearly fully fit roster with a number of first-choice players back from absences. Most notably, center-back duo Caglar Soyuncu and Merih Demiral are both returning to the squad after missing out in the March international window due to injuries. Soyuncu in particular has missed significant time with the national team and will benefit from minutes on the field in a friendly.
The only notable injury absences for Turkey are those of Enes Unal and Yunus Akgun, with the former having torn his ACL a few months ago with Bournemouth and the latter also dealing with a knee issue.
Hakan Calhanoglu captains the side from midfield, but it felt likely he would be rested in this first of two friendlies coming off defeat in the Champions League final with Inter Milan just a week ago.
Turkey starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ozir (GK) — Celik, Demiral, Soyuncu, Elmali — Yuksek, Aydin — Guler, Kokcu, Yildiz — Akturkoglu.
Turkey subs: Bayindir (GK), Sengezer (GK), Eskihellac, Ayhan, Muldur, Akcicek, Ozcan, Akaydin, Uzun, Yokuslu, Kahveci, Tiknaz, Gul, Yilmaz.
