On a rain-soaked afternoon at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) faced a challenging 2-1 defeat against Turkey in an international friendly on June 7, 2025. The match served as a crucial testing ground for USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino as he continues to shape his squad ahead of the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted in North America.
The USMNT started brightly, with Houston Dynamo midfielder Jack McGlynn delivering a stunning opening goal just 59 seconds into the game. McGlynn, who was traded from the Philadelphia Union earlier this year, cut in from the right flank and unleashed a curling 24-yard shot that beat Turkey’s goalkeeper Berke Özer, setting an electrifying tone for the match. This early strike highlighted McGlynn’s impressive form in 2025 and gave the home crowd hope despite the soggy conditions.
However, the USMNT’s initial advantage was short-lived. In the 24th minute, a costly error by defensive midfielder Johnny Cardoso allowed Turkey to equalize. Cardoso, who has been impressive in European play and is reportedly close to a €30 million move to Atlético Madrid, hesitated under pressure and played a scrambled pass that was intercepted by Real Madrid youngster Arda Güler. Güler’s block deflected into the net, leveling the score and shifting momentum.
Just three minutes later, another defensive lapse proved even more damaging. Miles Robinson’s errant clearance inside the box fell straight to Turkey’s Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who capitalized from close range to put Turkey ahead 2-1. These two defensive mistakes defined the match and underscored the challenges the USMNT faces in maintaining composure against quality opposition.
Coach Pochettino responded decisively at halftime, making two key substitutions: Tyler Adams replaced Cardoso, and Mark McKenzie came on for Robinson, signaling a clear message about accountability. The USMNT formation remained a 4-2-3-1, with Matt Freese in goal making his international debut alongside fellow debutant Alex Freeman, the youngest player to earn a cap under Pochettino during a FIFA window at just 20 years and 303 days old.
The second half saw the USMNT push forward with renewed energy, creating several promising chances. Luca de la Torre, returning for his first appearance since September 2024, sent a dangerous cross to Max Arfsten at the back post, but the Columbus Crew wingback’s header went just wide. Patrick Agyemang, the East Hartford native leading the team with three goals in 2025, also tested the Turkish goalkeeper with a powerful shot that was well saved.
Despite these efforts, the USMNT struggled to convert their opportunities. Malik Tillman, playing in an advanced midfield role, rose above defenders to meet a cross from Tyler Adams but directed his header straight at the goalkeeper. The American side’s creativity waned after the early substitutions of McGlynn and Diego Luna, who had impressed with his grit and determination, famously playing through a bleeding facial injury earlier this year.
In the 65th minute, Pochettino made a triple substitution to inject fresh legs and experience. Quinn Sullivan and Nathan Harriel, both making their USMNT debuts, came on alongside Haji Wright, replacing Luna, Arfsten, and McGlynn. Later, Brian White replaced Agyemang in the 74th minute, but the USMNT could not find the equalizer as Turkey’s defense held firm.
Turkey, coached by Vincenzo Montella, who boasts a solid record since taking over in September 2023, played a disciplined 4-3-3 formation. Despite conceding early, the Turkish side showed resilience and tactical awareness, capitalizing on American mistakes and managing possession effectively in the second half. Key players like captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Arda Güler, and Kenan Yıldız contributed to Turkey’s offensive threats, with Çalhanoğlu narrowly missing a significant chance in the 19th minute.
The match also marked several milestones for the USMNT. Chris Richards captained the side for the second time, while the defensive pairing of Richards and Robinson started together for the eighth time, holding a strong 6-1-0 record when paired. The starting lineup averaged 13 international caps, highlighting the blend of youth and experience Pochettino is cultivating. Notably, five players earned their first international appearances against UEFA opposition, including Agyemang, Arfsten, Freeman, Freese, and Tillman.
Attendance was robust, with over 30,000 tickets sold, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for soccer in the region ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The presence of East Hartford native Patrick Agyemang added a special local flavor, with the striker expressing pride in representing his hometown on such a stage. “I’ve grown up around this stadium my whole life, and to be there it’s going to be amazing,” Agyemang said prior to kickoff. “Being able to make it to this stage is a blessing, and I’m going to do all I can to take advantage of it.”
Despite the loss, there were positives to take from the match. The USMNT controlled large portions of possession and created several scoring opportunities, but the defensive errors proved too costly. Pochettino acknowledged the challenges, emphasizing the need for internal competition and mental toughness. “It’s important not to pay too much attention (to players not here) and only try to believe and provide the players a good environment to perform and fight for a place to be in the World Cup in one year,” he said.
Looking ahead, the USMNT will face Switzerland in Nashville on June 10, 2025, before embarking on the Gold Cup campaign starting June 15 in Miami. These matches will be critical for Pochettino to further evaluate his roster and build cohesion within a squad still searching for consistency on the international stage.
Ultimately, the friendly against Turkey was a mixed bag: a dazzling early goal, promising individual performances, but also glaring mistakes that led to defeat. The USMNT’s journey toward the 2026 World Cup continues, with lessons learned and opportunities to grow. As the team regroups, the focus will be on tightening defensive play and harnessing the youthful talent that Pochettino is entrusting to lead American soccer’s next chapter.
