USMNT finishes World Cup group stage on a disappointing note despite Pulisic’s return

US Men’s National Team Eliminated from World Cup

The U.S. men’s national team faced a tough loss against Turkiye, which knocked them out of Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was a disappointing outcome, especially considering the strong showing from Sebastian Berhalter and the return of Christian Pulisic.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino made significant changes, fielding a completely new defender lineup, with Matt Turner taking over as goalkeeper. Given that Turkiye was already eliminated and the hosts were poised to finish first in their group, expectations were low. Still, the U.S. squad came out eager. Just three minutes in, Berhalter delivered an excellent corner kick that allowed Auston Trusty to score with a well-placed header.

The Celtic defender managed to break away at the back post, skillfully controlling the ball before putting it past Turkiye’s keeper, Ugurka. However, from that point on, Turkiye displayed a heightened intensity and seemed more determined, dominating play for most of the first half.

A Real Madrid midfielder marked his first goal for his country during this tournament, but just seven minutes later, Arda Güler leveled the score for Turkiye. A few moments later, Bariš Alper Yilmaz unintentionally gave Turkiye the lead, as a shot by Orkun Kökçu deflected off him and into the net. Following that setback, the U.S. appeared to lose their rhythm, but they regrouped by halftime and started the second half with renewed vigor.

In the 49th minute, Berhalter contributed another point, scoring from just outside the box to help the U.S. equalize. The atmosphere intensified further when Pulisic came on for Tim Weah in the 58th minute. Having missed the previous match against Australia due to a calf injury, Pulisic returned looking energized. It was a gamble to play him in a game that didn’t impact the standings, but he seemed primed for the knockout stage.

As the match appeared destined for a draw, Khan Ayhan had other ideas and scored in the 98th minute, sealing a 3-2 victory for Turkiye. It felt like a tough loss, but fans are hoping the experience will fuel the team for future matches.

The overall performance illustrates the progress the team has made over the past year, especially considering how Turkiye had outperformed the U.S. in a friendly earlier. True, this match didn’t change the tournament’s outlook, but it’s still the World Cup. Pochettino opted not to field his first-choice defense or midfield, which makes it clear that this American team has developed trust among its players and engages the local crowd. Now it’s a matter of when they will find success.

If there’s one area for improvement, it’s the U.S. team’s defensive depth and awareness at crucial moments. Pochettino needs to tighten defense to reduce errors. This match was the first time the squad confronted significant challenges in the tournament, and their subsequent reactions will be key to future success.

The positive takeaway is Berhalter’s contribution in the final third, which likely means Pochettino will involve him more in midfield strategies.

The U.S. will next face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on July 1. Bosnia’s squad, led by Edin Dzeko, secured their spot as the third-place team in Group B, marking their first World Cup finals appearance despite a challenging record of five goals scored and six conceded.