Turkey Defeats U.S. 2-1 in Rainy Friendly

Turkey Defeats U.S. 2-1 in Rainy Friendly \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Turkey defeated the United States 2-1 in a rainy international friendly, capitalizing on defensive errors to score twice in under three minutes. The U.S. opened scoring early but struggled with a revamped lineup. The loss marks the Americans’ third straight defeat under coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Quick Looks

• Turkey beat the U.S. 2-1 in a soggy friendly match.
• Arda Güler and Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored in a 2-minute span.
• Jack McGlynn gave the U.S. the lead just 59 seconds in.
• Mauricio Pochettino’s squad featured eight new starters.
• The U.S. was without many regular players due to rotation.
• Alex Freeman, son of NFL’s Antonio Freeman, made his debut.
• Matt Freese started in goal, replacing Matt Turner.
• The Americans have now lost three straight matches.
• Turkey is preparing for World Cup qualifiers this fall.
• The U.S. faces Switzerland next, then opens Gold Cup vs. Trinidad.

Deep Look

In a rain-drenched Saturday friendly, the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) suffered a 2-1 defeat to Turkey, extending their losing streak to three matches and deepening concerns about the squad’s form under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The result was especially painful considering the promising start, with Jack McGlynn scoring in under a minute before defensive lapses handed Turkey two quick goals, sealing the Americans’ fate in the first half.

Held in challenging weather conditions, the match offered little comfort for American supporters hoping for signs of progress with the 2026 World Cup now just a year away. Co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, the U.S. is under growing pressure to solidify its identity and stabilize its lineup. But on Saturday, instability and inexperience again proved costly.

The match started brightly for the Americans. Just 59 seconds in, midfielder Jack McGlynn found the net with a composed, curling shot from just outside the penalty area, following a clever setup by Malik Tilman. The early goal marked McGlynn’s second in just five international appearances and was the fastest U.S. goal since 2021, when Shaq Moore scored 20 seconds into a Gold Cup match against Canada. It was a rare highlight in what would quickly unravel into another frustrating performance.

Despite the positive opening, the Americans failed to maintain control or defensive structure. Turkey responded quickly, capitalizing on back-to-back defensive breakdowns. In the 24th minute, U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese—making his international debut—played the ball short to midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who failed to handle the pressure. The ball ricocheted off a Turkish attacker and fell to Arda Güler, one of Europe’s most exciting young stars, who calmly slotted in his fifth international goal to equalize.

Barely two minutes later, another costly misplay doomed the U.S. defense. After a blocked shot by Oğuz Aydın, U.S. center back Miles Robinson attempted a clearance that deflected into the path of Turkish forward Kerem Aktürkoğlu. With composure and precision, Aktürkoğlu one-timed the bouncing ball into the net, giving Turkey a 2-1 lead. It was his 12th goal for the national team, and his sixth in just eight appearances.

Those two goals, scored in a span of two minutes and 20 seconds, reflected the disorganization and lack of cohesion in the U.S. backline—a recurring issue under Pochettino’s tenure.

The defeat dropped Pochettino’s record to 5-4 since taking over from Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed after the U.S. exited in the group stage of the 2024 Copa América. Saturday’s lineup included sweeping changes, with eight new starters compared to the March Nations League semifinal loss to Canada. Only Max Arfsten, Diego Luna, and Patrick Agyemang retained their spots.

Among the notable debuts was 20-year-old defender Alex Freeman, the son of former NFL star Antonio Freeman. Another debut came in goal with Matt Freese, who starts for MLS side NYCFC. Freese was chosen over usual starter Matt Turner, who has seen little playing time at Crystal Palace since March.

Though the lineup reshuffle gave young players a chance to impress, the match exposed the side’s lack of chemistry and readiness at the international level. The midfield struggled to control possession, the defense appeared rattled under pressure, and the attack faded after the early goal.

Turkey, meanwhile, looked composed and effective, continuing their impressive run under manager Vincenzo Montella. With six wins, one draw, and only one loss in their last eight matches, Turkey is gaining momentum as it gears up for UEFA World Cup qualifying this fall. The game also marked the debut of Turkish goalkeeper Berke Özer, who stood firm after conceding the early goal and helped preserve the win.

Beyond the scoreline, the match reinforced broader concerns for U.S. soccer as it prepares to host its biggest event in decades. The loss marked the second time in a year that the U.S. has dropped three consecutive matches—an alarming trend for a program that once set its sights on reaching the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup.

Questions now swirl around Pochettino’s tactical approach, player selection, and ability to build a consistent starting XI. The backline, particularly, has lacked stability, with frequent changes in personnel and roles. The decision to start Freese and Freeman, though understandable in the context of a friendly, highlighted the lack of tested depth at critical positions.

Off the pitch, U.S. Soccer officials maintain that the team is in a developmental phase, and that experimentation is necessary before the Gold Cup and World Cup. Still, fans and analysts are growing restless, especially given the team’s erratic performances and lack of clear progress since the coaching change.

Next up for the U.S. is a friendly against Switzerland in Nashville on Tuesday. That match represents another opportunity to evaluate emerging talent and find chemistry ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicks off June 15 with a group-stage clash against Trinidad and Tobago.

With time ticking down before the 2026 World Cup, the U.S. faces a dual challenge: developing future stars while producing immediate results. So far, that balance has proved elusive.

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