Following their recent disappointment in the Concacaf Nations League, the United States Men`s National Team is preparing for the upcoming Gold Cup with a friendly match against Turkey. This game serves as a crucial tune-up just over a week before the tournament begins. The international window presents a challenge for coach Mauricio Pochettino, as his squad is thin due to the Club World Cup and player rest periods. Several key regulars, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest, Gio Reyna, and Folarin Balogun, will be unavailable for this fixture.
Turkey, ranked 27th in the FIFA standings, represents a significant test for the USMNT. With a squad largely comprised of Major League Soccer players, this match will provide valuable insight into Pochettino`s tactical approach and the readiness of the domestic-based talent against strong international opposition.
Last Meeting
These two nations last met in 2014, when the United States secured a victory in a friendly match ahead of the World Cup in Brazil. The US team went on to reach the knockout stage in that tournament before being eliminated by Belgium in extra time. Despite the passage of eleven years, Turkey`s Hakan Çalhanoğlu featured in that 2014 match coming off the bench and is expected to play a crucial role in their midfield for this upcoming game.
Coach`s Perspective
Given the inexperienced nature of the current USMNT roster on the international stage, Pochettino was asked about the squad`s capability to win these types of matches before heading into the Gold Cup. He quickly pushed back against premature judgment, stating, “I think we need to respect the players that are here. We need to respect every single player and see if we are good enough. I will let you know after. We weren`t good enough to win the Nations League. We were not good enough, if we go back to the World Cup, we were not good enough to win the World Cup in 2022. I think we cannot judge or analyze in this way. I think we need to wait, and then if we win, so happy. If we don`t win, you can criticize.”
While his assessment of past performances is accurate, this extended camp period with the squad, the longest Pochettino has had since taking over in September 2024, is vital for achieving tactical breakthroughs. If the team doesn`t show signs of being `good enough` to compete effectively after this dedicated time, it could raise concerns about the team`s potential ceiling under his guidance.
Midfield Dynamics
The inclusion of camp newcomers Sebastian Berhalter and Quinn Sullivan offers Pochettino fresh options in the midfield. While Sullivan has represented the USMNT at youth levels primarily as a winger, he has recently played in central positions for his club. Alongside existing options like Jack McGlynn, Luca De La Torre, Malik Tillman, Diego Luna, and Tyler Adams, Pochettino has several different directions he could explore for this friendly. The choices made here could significantly influence the composition of the eventual World Cup squad.
Predicted Lineups
USMNT: Matt Turner, John Tolkin, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Nathan Harriel, Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Malik Tillman, Patrick Agyemang, Haji Wright
Turkey: Uğurcan Çakır, Mert Müldür, Samet Akaydın, Çağlar Söyüncü, Mustafa Eskihellaç, Salih Özcan, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, Barış Yılmaz, Kerem Aktürkoğlu
Player to Watch: John Tolkin
John Tolkin, Holstein Kiel: Despite his club`s recent relegation from the Bundesliga, Tolkin delivered some strong performances for Holstein Kiel after joining them in January. In the absence of Antonee Robinson, he has an opportunity to potentially claim the starting left-back position for the USMNT, a spot currently lacking a clear backup. Identifying a reliable alternative to Robinson will be crucial for ensuring necessary depth across multiple positions if the USMNT aims for success at the 2026 World Cup.
Storyline to Watch: Team Performance
Which USMNT shows up?: If the performance level seen in the Concacaf Nations League matches against Panama and Canada is repeated against Turkey, it will be a significant disappointment, as that level is unlikely to be sufficient for a positive result against a team like Turkey. With the World Cup on the horizon, this cannot happen, or questions will inevitably arise regarding Pochettino`s suitability for the job. While winning this friendly might not be the sole objective, a demonstrably improved performance is absolutely necessary.
Prediction
In what is expected to be a tense match characterized by pressing, these two teams are likely to finish in a draw. The game should at least be eventful, with Turkey`s Arda Güler potentially opening the scoring before Brian White comes off the bench to secure a tie for the USMNT. While it may not be a beautiful display of football, the result could still help build confidence within this squad. Pick: USMNT 1, Turkey 1
Dominic Ashworth