USMNT falls to 2-1 loss against Turkey: Highlights, recap of Saturday friendly

Turkey defender Söyüncü Çaglar (4) holds off USMNT forward Patrick Agyemang (24) during a friendly game on June 7, 2025.

The U.S. men's national team were undone by two defensive errors on Saturday, falling 2-1 in a friendly against Turkey.

With a new-look squad missing several European-based regulars ahead of the Concacaf Gold Cup, Mauricio Pochettino was looking for some new faces to make their mark. Jack McGlynn did himself no harm with a spectacular first-minute curler to give the U.S. the lead, but two veterans made the mistakes that would define the match.

First, Johnny Cardoso was too slow to see his options during a build-out phase, eventually striking a scrambled pass directly into Arda Güler, with the Real Madrid youngster only having to block the ball past Matt Freese for a 24th-minute equalizer. Less than three minutes later, another error inside the box — this time, an aimless clearance from Miles Robinson — gave Turkey another golden chance that Kerem Aktürkoğlu buried from close range.

While the USMNT was able to create a couple of second-half chances, particularly a pair of back-post opportunities for Max Arfsten and Malik Tillman, Turkey seemed content to concede possession and frustrate the hosts. If anything, the best chance of the game's final stages fell to Turkey, with substitute Barış Alper Yılmaz blasting a one-on-one chance wide.

Pro Soccer Wire had minute-by-minute updates, highlights, and analysis from Saturday's USMNT defeat:

USMNT vs. Turkey highlights

USMNT falls 2-1 to Turkey

That's that from a rain-drenched Rentschler Field, with the USMNT falling 2-1 to Turkey.

There are some positives to take away for the U.S., who largely controlled a lot of the play, but two errors — one big, and one a true calamity — handed the Turks both of their goals, throwing away a first-minute lead after Jack McGlynn's banger.

It's another instance where Mauricio Pochettino will walk away with more questions than answers, particularly as the USMNT's creativity dried up once McGlynn and Diego Luna came off in the second half.

USMNT vs. Turkey: Visitors waste jailbreak counter

The USMNT was trying to attempt an orchestrated set piece, but made a mess out of the very first steps. Instead of a short pass turning into confusion for Turkey, the visitors won the ball and raced forward, with Nathan Harriel the only player even close to being in position to defend the break.

Fortunately for the USMNT, Barış Alper Yılmaz — in alone after Turkey bypassed Harriel — ripped his shot wide of Matt Freese's right-hand post. Big let-off for the USMNT, as the Galatasaray winger could have simply steered the ball in for an easy goal.

Shortly thereafter, Kerem Aktürkoğlu is replaced by Can Uzun, and Harriel is booked for an awkward challenge on İrfan Can Kahveci.

USMNT vs. Turkey: Bizarre stoppage finally ends in Turkey substitutions

It's a bit of a mess for the refereeing crew, but eventually we have a triple sub for Turkey: Samet Akaydin, Eren Elmalı, and Kenan Yıldız leave the match, replaced by Mustafa Eskihellaç, Yusuf Akçiçek, and İrfan Can Kahveci.

Akçiçek's first action of the match is to pick up the game's first yellow card, which is not exactly ideal for the Fenerbahçe defender.

USMNT: Brian White on for Patrick Agyemang

Play has slowed down as Berke Özer and Eren Elmalı both get treatment for knocks in short order, but as things resume we have another USMNT sub: Brian White is on for Patrick Agyemang.

USMNT triple sub: Sullivan, Harriel debut

Mauricio Pochettino elects for a 65th-minute triple substitution here. Quinn Sullivan and Nathan Harriel make their debuts, entering the game alongside Haji Wright. Diego Luna, Max Arfsten, and Jack McGlynn make way.

Turkey is making moves as well, with Kaan Ayhan and Barış Alper Yılmaz replacing Orkun Kökçü and Oğuz Aydın.

USMNT vs. Turkey: Tillman misses golden chance

More good work from the USMNT, with two looks in the 60th minute. First, a counter ends with Jack McGlynn turning down the chance to pass to an open Malik Tillman or an even more open Patrick Agyemang, only for his shot to be blocked.

Tyler Adams sprinted in to pick up the loose ball and eventually clipped a delicate cross to the back post, where Tillman should have had the equalizer. Instead, the PSV playmaker headed right at Berke Özer, letting Turkey off the hook.

USMNT chance sees Arfsten head wide

That's much more like it from the USMNT, who move the ball up the right flank via Jack McGlynn. The goalscorer picked out Patrick Agyemang, whose knockdown to Luca de la Torre (peeling wide out of a central position) opened up the Turkey defense.

De la Torre's cross found Max Arfsten pushing up to attack the back post, but the Columbus Crew wingback's header went just wide.

USMNT halftime substitutions: Tyler Adams enters the fray

The USMNT has come out for the second half with two new faces in the mix: Tyler Adams will replace Johnny Cardoso, while Mark McKenzie is stepping in for Miles Robinson.

Is that planned, or is Mauricio Pochettino making a statement by hauling off the two players most responsible for Turkey's goals?

Either way, the match has resumed.

USMNT vs. Turkey: U.S. trails 2-1 at halftime

A promising start for the USMNT dissolved into a 2-1 deficit after two big mistakes at the back gifted Turkey a pair of goals in a three-minute span.

Jack McGlynn's curler in the first minute was a wonderful way to get going, but a catastrophic giveaway from Johnny Cardoso gave Turkey a 24th-minute equalizer, and a poor clearance from Miles Robinson handed the visitors the lead by the 27th minute.

It hasn't been all bad from the USMNT, but the mistakes have been really ugly, and there have been few openings since Turkey got its act together after struggling in the opening 10 minutes.

USMNT vs. Turkey formations

At long last, we have a lull long enough to provide the formations for both teams:

USA (4-2-3-1): Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, Max Arfsten; Johnny Cardoso, Luca de la Torre; Jack McGlynn, Malik Tillman, Diego Luna; Patrick Agyemang

TUR (4-3-3): Berke Özer; Zeki Çelik, Merih Demiral, Samet Akaydin, Eren Elmalı; Oğuz Aydın, Orkun Kökçü, İsmail Yüksek; Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Kenan Yıldız

Goal(s) Turkey! Cardoso disaster, Akturkoglu finish makes it 2-1

So much for Turkey having to earn the equalizer, or the lead.

First, Johnny Cardoso turned some attempts to build out of the back in the 25th minute into one of the worst USMNT goals conceded in recent memory. Under pressure that might not even be "token," Cardoso dawdled on the ball before turning and passing the ball directly into Arda Güler, who didn't even have time to react. Despite that, things worked out perfectly for Güler, with his block caroming directly into the goal.

Cardoso — who is reportedly on the brink of a €30 million move to Atlético Madrid — has been so good in European play, but this will be another blow to his attempts to bring his quality to the USMNT.

Making matters worse, it took just two minutes for Turkey to strike again. Oğuz Aydın kept a Turkey attack alive after the initial service bounced through the U.S. box, but his cross should have been dealt with. Instead, Miles Robinson's attempt to clear went straight to Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who duly deposited it into the back of the net from seven yards.

USMNT escapes as Çalhanoğlu balloons chance over bar

Turkey has come into the game a bit after a grim opening 10 minutes for Vincenzo Montella's side, but the USMNT remains in front 1-0.

That is pretty fortunate, as Hakan Çalhanoğlu's 19th minute opportunity was one you'd expect the Inter veteran to put away. Kenan Yıldız got free on the left after a ball over the top caught the USMNT out, but Çalhanoğlu leaned back and fired the ball well over the crossbar.

Goal USMNT! Jack McGlynn with an absolute stunner

And just like that, it's 1-0 USMNT! Houston Dynamo midfielder Jack McGlynn produced a golazo just 59 seconds from kickoff.

It was simple stuff in terms of build-up, with McGlynn playing a give-and-go at midfield to get into space on the right. From there, the 21-year-old cut inside onto his favored left foot before uncorking a 24-yard curling effort to beat Berke Özer.

Malik Tillman registers his first official USMNT assist, but to be clear: this one's all McGlynn.

USMNT vs. Turkey kicks off

Amid some absolutely soggy conditions at Rentschler Field, the USMNT and Turkey have kicked this friendly off. We'll assemble formations for both teams as soon as they become apparent.

USMNT vs. Turkey lineups

USMNT vs. Turkey: How to watch, TV, streaming