The already classified United States took to the field with a completely reserve team, except for the presence of midfielder McKeenie, this Thursday, and lost 3-2 to already eliminated Turkey, at the SoFi Stadium, in Los Angeles. The Turkish winning goal was scored in the last play of the game, by Ayhan.
With this, coach Mauricio Pochettino’s team ended the group stage campaign with six points, in the lead guaranteed since the last round. In the other game in the group, second-placed Australia only drew with Paraguay and ended up with four points. The Paraguayans also have four and were in third, with a two-goal deficit on balance. The Turks say goodbye with three points.
Even with the reserve team, the USA gave the impression that they would carry out a massacre at SoFi Stadium. Trusty opened the scoring with a strong left shot after receiving a cross from Berhalter and opened the scoring just two minutes into the game. There was a pressure test from the host team, which was soon contained.
Turkey had to deal with the same problems as in previous matches, in which they showed great difficulty in the transition. Facing physical players like those from the USA had everything to make things even more complicated, but the situation was subverted with a goal scored by Arda Guller, the Turks’ first in the World Cup, in the ninth minute.
Turkey’s midfield engine, Guller played as if there was still a chance of qualifying and led the rally completed before the break. It was from his throw, after a play with Yldiz, that the goal was scored by Kokçu, in the 30th minute.
The Americans created some opportunities to equalize before the break and didn’t take advantage. At the beginning of the second half, however, he took advantage of a mistake by the opposing defense in an attempt to clear the ball and left everything the same with a strong shot from Berhalter that ended up in the net.
After the draw, the United States began to put pressure on the Turkish defense, at an intense pace in the attacking field, especially after Pulisic replaced Weah. The midfield and attacking players acted closer together and found it very easy to find spaces.
In the end, Arda Guller’s talent made the difference in achieving a dignified farewell for her nation. The Real Madrid midfielder passed the ball between the goalscorer’s legs, in the last play of the game, and activated Uzun, who played for Ayhan to score.
TECHNICAL SHEET
Türkiye 3 X 2 UNITED STATES
TURQUIA – Cakir; Celik (Soyuncu), Kabak, Bardakci e Elmali; Ozcan, Kokçu (Ayhan) and Arda Guller; Yilmaz (Kahveci), Yildiz (Uzun) and Aydin (Muldur). Técnico: Vincenzo Montella.
UNITED STATES – Turner; Scally (Freeman), Miles Robinson, McKeinze and Trusty; Berhlater, McKennie (Tillman), Aaronson (Zendejas) and Gio Reyna (Dest); Weah (Pulisic) and Pepi. Coach: Muricio Pochettino.
GOALS – Trusty, at three, Arda Guller, at nine, and Elmali, at 30 minutes of the first half. Berhalter, three minutes into the second half.
REFEREE – Mustapha Ghorbal (ARG).
YELLOW CARDS – Berhalter.
PUBLIC – Not disclosed.
LOCATION: SoFi Stadium, in Los Angeles (USA).
