The States' unbeaten run was brought crashing down with a late sucker punch as Turkey conjured up a stunning 3-2 win at Los Angeles Stadium – a result that's left the USA with more questions than answers heading into the World Cup knockout stages. And what a finish it was, Kaan Ayhan's goal with the final kick of the game sparking wild celebrations among the Turkish faithful.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino, typically effervescent in his post-match interviews, couldn't hide the pain of defeat but refused to be drawn into any debate about its significance. "We achieved our objective – we finished top of Group D," he declared with trademark confidence. "And now it's on to the next stage – a final, if you like. We're ready." There was a hint of deflection in his words, though, as he bemoaned the negative tone of some of the questions put to him.
Auston Trusty opened the scoring for the USA with a header in the 6th minute, but Turkey responded in style through Arda Guler's lightning-fast strike just four minutes later. The Americans looked shell-shocked as Orkun Kokcu doubled the Turks' lead midway through the half – a turning point that left many wondering if the USA's normally solid backline could withstand the heat.
But Pochettino's team didn't lie down and die. Sebastian Berhalter levelled with a stunning volley just after the break, sparking a comeback that would have been the envy of any top-tier side. The USA poured forward in search of a winner, only to be cruelly punished by Ayhan's 90th-minute goal – a bitter pill to swallow as they prepare to face Bosnia and Herzegovina next time out.
The USA's group stage campaign will go down as one for the ages, though. They scored their most goals in a single World Cup game since 1930 and notched two consecutive wins for the first time since the modern era began. Now it's knockout or bust – can Pochettino's men respond to this setback and make some noise in the latter stages?