In a friendly match that saw Turkey triumph over the United States, one pivotal moment shifted the game’s momentum: a regrettable error by Johnny Cardoso. The Real Betis midfielder’s attempted clearance in the 20th minute, with the score at 1-0 in favor of the US, proved disastrous. Arda Güler, the alert Real Madrid player, capitalized on Cardoso’s miscue, redirecting the ball with his knee into the back of the net. This stunning goal sparked Turkey’s comeback.
The game had begun brilliantly for the Americans. Jack McGlynn’s impressive long-range left-footed strike in the first minute caught Turkey off guard, giving the US an early lead. However, Güler’s brilliance quickly turned the tide. His opportunistic goal equalized the score, and just moments later, he orchestrated Turkey’s second goal. A clever pass to Muhammed Akturkoglu, who easily found the back of the net, sealed the US’s defeat. This marked the third consecutive loss for the American team.
The match was further complicated by several key absences from the US squad. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tim Weah, all notable players, were unavailable. This game followed the disappointing results in the Concacaf Nations League Finals, where the US lost in the semifinals to Panama (0-1) and in the third-place match to Canada (2-1), marking a first ever loss under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
This friendly against Turkey served as one of two warm-up matches for the upcoming Gold Cup, which kicks off on June 14th. The US will face Switzerland in their next friendly. Despite the absence of several star players, the Gold Cup remains crucial for assessing the team’s readiness for the 2026 World Cup, which the US will co-host with Mexico and Canada. The Cardoso error, therefore, serves as a harsh reminder of the high stakes involved and the need for sharper performance at every level.
