The United States men's national soccer team experienced late heartbreak as Turkey secured a dramatic 3-2 victory with the final kick of the game. The match, held at SoFi Stadium, saw the USMNT resting several key players and others at risk of suspension. Despite this, the team had secured top spot in Group D prior to the fixture.
Auston Trusty opened the scoring for the USMNT in the second minute with a goal that was the second-fastest in the team's World Cup history. However, Turkey responded quickly, leveling the score in the 10th minute through Arda Guler, who also assisted their second goal. The US appeared to have regained momentum when Sebastian Berhalter equalized shortly after halftime, but Kaan Ayhan's late winner ultimately sealed the victory for Turkey.
The match also saw the return of Christian Pulisic from injury. The winger played for 30 minutes in a cameo appearance and looked sharp, offering a positive sign for the team's upcoming knockout stage matches. Other players, including Weston McKennie, who captained the team in place of Tim Ream, and Ricardo Pepi, were given opportunities to impress.
Despite the loss, the mood among the USMNT players and the 70,000 fans in attendance remained largely positive. Many notable figures from sports and entertainment were present, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Kamala Harris, witnessing a match that, while ultimately a dead rubber for the USMNT's progression, provided late drama. The team concluded the match with a lap of appreciation, and the stadium's atmosphere was buoyed by familiar songs like 'Take Me Home, Country Roads'.