Inglewood, Calif.- The USMNT suffered a loss to Turkiye, despite having Group D wrapped up after last week’s win over Australia. Leading into the final group stage match, the U.S. looked to maintain momentum despite already having secured top spot in Group D.
It was a heavily rotated squad for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.Weston Mckennie remained in the squad and many guys got their opportunity.
Auston Trusty opened up the scoring early off a corner in the third minute before Turkiye equalized and went ahead before halftime. Sebastian Berhalter scored a belter early in the second half, but it wasn’t enough, as Turkiye scored a late stoppage time winner.
In other Group D news, Australia advanced to the knockout stages and Lucas Herrington became the youngest Socceroo to start in a World Cup match.
The U.S. now turns attention to their Round of 32 matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.
Matt Turner
3 goals conceded on the night. It was a poor performance from Turner. He looked shaky in the back at times and uncomfortable. On all three goals, it was more of a collective mistake from the backline and Turner. He’ll want to forget this one. 5/10
Auston Trusty
The former Colorado Rapid got on the scoresheet early on with a wonderful goal. He cushioned the ball down before volleying the ball into the net from close range. Besides the goal, he defended well at times but looked sloppy in moments during the match. Hopefully the injury is nothing serious. 7/10
Miles Robinson
Paired up alongside Trusty, Robinson defended well in moments. Turkiye really were comfortable in breaking down the U.S. with short combinations and wide play. Robinson was burnt on the second Turkiye goal. Some positives to take from the night. 6/10
Mark McKenzie
Like much of the backline, McKenzie lacked consistency and quality in the back. He turned the ball over and lacked some composure in moments. Despite this, he defended well when he had to, but never really got going with the ball at his feet. 6/10
Joe Scally
An indecisive performance from a heavily rotated backline. On the ball, Scally went forward well and created several dangerous opportunities. On the first Turkiye goal, he switches off for a moment and gets caught between the two combining attackers. It was a well-taken Turkiye goal, but it was given up too easily. A poor defensive effort. 5/10
Weston McKennie
McKennie remained in the starting lineup, despite the U.S. already clinching Group D. He played from a slightly deeper role and was exceptional at turning into space and creating dangerous opportunities. He had a few shots on target and looked good throughout the match. 7/10
Gio Reyna
Reyna filled in alongside Sebastian Berhalter in the attacking midfield role. Reyna created some opportunities, but lacked the final quality in the attacking third. He defended well in the midfield, but Turkiye found success through the middle. 6/10
Sebastian Berhalter
A deserved start for Berhalter and a big performance. He stifled a lot of Turkiye’s quality through the middle and created an attacking threat for the U.S. He’s come in off the bench throughout the group stage and performed well. He scored a belter outside the box to equalize for the U.S. Surely, he’ll be called on again. 8/10 man of the match
Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson featured out wide for the U.S. He played well. Offensively, he was dangerous out wide and looked a threat and had a solid work rate. He found space through the middle and was very robust. He will want the second half opportunity back late on, just pushing the ball past the post off the rebound. 7/10
Timothy Weah
Weah rotated in and got the start out wide. He struggled to bring an impact to the match. He was in space several times and struggled to stretch the defense. Weah will want to have more of an impact for this U.S side going forward. 6/10
Ricardo Pepi
Not a bad night out for Pepi. He got into really dangerous spaces and always looked a threat up against Turkiye’s backline. Unfortunately, Pepi lacked the final quality to put the ball in the net or make the final pass. 6/10
Substitutes
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic entered in the 58th minute for Weah. He looked like himself out wide, and it was important minutes for the recovering Pulisic before the knockout stages. He had several dangerous opportunities and could have gotten on the scoresheet. 7/10
Sergino Dest
Entered the match at the 76th minute out wide for Aaronson. Dest looked dynamic and bright again down the flank and continued to bring attacking quality into matches. A good closing 20 minutes. 7/10
Alex Freeman
Freeman also entered the match at the 76th minute as part of a trio change for the U.S. Freeman defended well when he had to. The third Turkiye goal was an unlucky way to end the group stage. 7/10
Alex Zendejas
Zendejas came into the match at the 76th minute. A good performance for him. He got into dangerous pockets of space and created opportunities late on. He found success in between the lines and linked play up well. 7/10
Malik Tillman subbed on too late to be judged fairly
Mauricio Pochettino
A heavily rotated squad against a Turkiye side that had nothing to lose. A 3-2 scoreline is a tough one to take to end the group stage. It’s an interesting battle to find a balance between keeping starters fresh for the knockouts and giving chances for some U.S. reserves.
Conceding three goals and failing to win is disappointing, but there are no large warning signs for Pochettino’s side. They won the group and clinched the Round of 32 after two matches. The glaring issue for the U.S. is the question of depth in this tournament.
Besides the depth and disappointing loss, Pochettino has done well with this U.S. side, giving them a massive opportunity on home soil against Bosnia and Herzegovina. 8/10
Rapid Reaction: Lucas Herrington Makes World Cup Debut
Herrington became the youngest MLS Player and Socceroo to start in a World Cup match, he featured in Australia’s 0-0 draw to Paraguay, which saw them advance into the knockout stages.
It was a good night for the youngster, he was calm and composed on the ball, defended well when he had to, and played a big part in the 0-0 tie. It’s an amazing moment for the youngster and the Colorado Rapids. 7/10
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Matt Pollard 
Spencer Baldwin 