INGLEWOOD, Calif. – After December’s World Cup draw and the decisive final UEFA qualifiers in March, the U.S. men’s national team’s group stage finale against Turkey seemed poised to be anything but a dead rubber game.
But it was, of course. The United States had already won their group and booked a date with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. Mauricio Pochettino even made nine lineup changes from last week, wisely prioritizing the avoidance of injuries and card suspensions over whatever would play out on the field.
But when things kicked off on Thursday night, it didn’t feel like a meaningless game. It definitely didn’t end like one, either, with a dramatic, last-minute goal sending Turkey home with a consolation win. The stadium was full, with plenty of celebrities attending the second U.S.’s second 2026 World Cup game in Los Angeles. On the field, a rotated team brought the energy and intensity Pochettino demands. Effort alone, however, wouldn’t overwhelm a team with Turkey’s quality.
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The evening's takeaways, as it turns out, were fairly predictable.
The USMNT’s center back depth for this tournament, and the options for the future at a position that tends to demand more maturity than others, remains concerning. Mark McKenzie still isn’t immune from costly defensive mistakes, while Miles Robinson’s inclusion on this roster remains a head-scratcher. Higher up the field, Gio Reyna continues to be a positive presence in possession – bringing peerless vision and technique – and Tim Weah belongs on the right side, regardless of his eye-dominance. Sebastian Berhalter, also, stands out as a tenacious, mixed bag of a midfielder at this level.
Joseph Lowery
