Mauricio Pochettino’s United States side head into the World Cup knockouts off the back of a defeat, after Kaan Ayhan scored a last-minute winner for an already-eliminated Turkey in Seattle on Thursday night. The 3-2 loss was a reminder of how quickly a contest can drift into the hands of your opponent, especially when chances are not converted at this level.
Pochettino had the luxury of rolling out a lineup full of backups after winning Group D in just two games, and the group of US subs held their own in what was ultimately a meaningless matchup. It took them only three minutes to get going: defender Auston Trusty fired a ball near-side past the Turkish keeper from a second-minute corner to open the scoring.
“Kaan Ayhan's last-minute winner gives Turkey a 3-2 victory over USA, who face Bosnia next.”
But Turkey responded quickly. Poor defense allowed Real Madrid’s Arda Guler to find himself one-on-one with backup keeper Matt Turner, and he scored his country’s first goal of the tournament on one of the easiest looks he’ll have in his career. Turkey extended the lead in the 31st minute when Orkun Kokcu found the net after midfielder Erener Elmali wrapped around the US back line.
The Americans didn’t punch back until the second half, but they did so in style. After a ball clattered around from a throw-in in the 49th minute, it found its way to the top of the box where Sebastian Berhalter hit it first time on a half-volley for a wonderful equaliser. The Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder was far and away the best player on the pitch for the US, notching a goal and an assist on the night.
Despite the score being level, the American crowd was relatively tame — until Christian Pulisic’s No10 was flashed on the fourth official’s board to signal he was entering the game in place of Tim Weah. Captain America’s presence immediately sparked life into his side, and he came just inches away from scoring in the 63rd minute: a shot well-saved, a ricochet that hit the post and a curling effort just wide. Pulisic’s comeback from a 13-day absence due to a calf injury is particularly timely and significant, six days before the real business begins once more.
Yet paradoxically, after such a wretched first two games, Turkey nicked a winner with the last kick of the game courtesy of substitute Kaan Ayhan. The victory will make them feel a sorry sense of what if — defeats to Australia and Paraguay had already been their undoing. They will fly back to Europe out of LAX on Friday morning after another tournament of underachievement.
For the US, a last-32 date in Santa Clara next Wednesday against Bosnia and Herzegovina was already assured. Pochettino executed his key objectives: emerge unscathed in the injury department, avoid needless suspensions, and re-introduce Pulisic into the World Cup fray. The US manager, and the excitable public watching across this vast land, will hope that the near-misses burn a fire deep within the 27-year-old as they head up the West Coast next week. Is he fit enough to start in six days? Surely, one thinks.