EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — The U.S. men’s national team suffered yet another setback in what has been a turbulent 2025, falling 2-1 to Turkiye in an international friendly at a rainy Rentschler Field on Saturday.
The loss marks the third consecutive defeat for the Americans and adds further pressure on newly appointed head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Watch: Jack McGlynn goal vs. Türkiye
The match began with rare early promise for the U.S. Just one minute into the game, 21-year-old Houston Dynamo midfielder Jack McGlynn ignited the home crowd with a sensational curling strike from the right flank, giving the Stars and Stripes an ideal start.
Jack McGlynn GOLAZO just 60 seconds into the match!
Telemundo, NBC Universo & Peacock pic.twitter.com/AdZ1hx2pUT— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 7, 2025
But what may have been the best opening 15 minutes from the USMNT all year quickly unraveled into a nightmare first half. A catastrophic error from Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso gifted Türkiye their equalizer, and from there the momentum never swung back in the Americans' favor.
Turkish sensation Arda Güler of Real Madrid and Galatasaray's Kerem Aktürkoğlu completed the comeback, exposing defensive lapses and a lack of cohesion in the U.S. side.
One of the weirdest goals you'll see.
The USMNT's Johnny Cardoso tries to clear but it bounces off Arda Guler and into the net for a Turkiye equalizer.Telemundo, NBC Universo & Peacock pic.twitter.com/9yHJUikZxK
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 7, 2025
Turkiye lead the USMNT 2-1 at halftime after Kerem Aktürkoğlu's effort gave them the lead.
Telemundo, NBC Universo & Peacock pic.twitter.com/vlvPJRb1E7— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 7, 2025
The loss follows a disappointing exit in the Concacaf Nations League in March and deepens concerns around the national team’s form heading into the summer. Pochettino, brought in to bring structure and inspiration, now finds himself under scrutiny with just one match left before the Gold Cup.
The U.S. will next face Switzerland on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. EST in their final friendly before opening their 2025 Gold Cup campaign.
