Following a disappointing showing in the Concacaf Nations League, the US men’s national team is set to face Turkiye in a friendly just over a week before the Gold Cup begins. This international window is unique due to the Club World Cup, providing a chance for players, especially those from the increasingly competitive Mauricio Pochettino squad, to join in, despite the absence of key players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest, Gio Reyna, and Folarin Balogun.
Turkiye is a strong opponent, currently ranked 27th by FIFA, making this game a significant test for Pochettino’s tactical approach, particularly given that many players hail from Major League Soccer.
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Below are the details on how to watch the match and more information.
How to watch USMNT vs Turkiye
- Date: Saturday, June 7th | Time: 3:30 PM
- Location: Pratt & Whitney Stadium – East Hartford, Connecticut
- TV: TNT | Live Stream: fubo (try it for free)
- Odds: USMNT +165; Draw +220; Turkiye +145
Previous Meetings
The last encounter saw the US defeat Turkiye in a pre-World Cup match in Brazil back in 2014, where they advanced in the knockout stage after facing Belgium. Although that match was quite some time ago, Hakan Çalhanoğlu is expected to play a pivotal role for Turkiye in this upcoming game.
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What the Coach Says
With a largely inexperienced roster, Pochettino was questioned about his team’s readiness to win ahead of the Gold Cup, but he was quick to downplay any concerns.
“We need to respect the players here and ensure we are good enough,” Pochettino said. “We were not good enough to win the Nations League, and if we returned to the World Cup, we wouldn’t have been better than we were in 2022.” He’s correct about the challenges the USMNT faced, and this upcoming game will be crucial to determine whether they can compete effectively this time around. Having taken the helm in September 2024, this will be Pochettino’s longest camp with the team, allowing for potential tactical progress. After extensive time with Argentina, failure to secure wins in these friendly matches could start raising concerns about the team’s potential.
As Gold Cup preparations begin with the Turkiye friendly, the USMNT aims to balance chemistry and cohesion within the squad.
— Pareep Cattry
How Will the Midfield Shape Up?
With new invitees like Sebastian Behalter and Quinn Sullivan joining the squad, Pochettino has fresh options in the midfield. Although Sullivan usually plays as a winger at the club level, he represents the USMNT at the youth level, providing versatility. Alongside Jack McGlynn, Luca de la Torre, Malik Tillman, Diego Luna, and Tyler Adams, there are numerous directions Pochettino can explore with this friendly, significantly impacting the ultimate team selection for the World Cup.
The Predicted Lineup
USMNT: Matt Turner, John Tolkien, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Nathan Harriel, Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Malik Tillman, Patrick Agyeman, Haji Wright
Turkiye: Ugurcan Çakir, Mert Müldür, Samet Akaydın, Çağlar Söyüncü, Mustafa Kapı, Sari Özkan, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Alpaslan Öztürk, Kenan Karaman, Bülent Korkmaz, Kerem Aktürkoğlu
Players to Watch
John Tolkien, Holstein Kiel: It’s Tolkien’s first USMNT camp since his Bundesliga exit, but he impressed in January. With Antonee Robinson out, Tolkien could be crucial for left-back depth as the USMNT gears up for the 2026 World Cup.
A Storyline to Follow
Which USMNT will show up? If the same team from the Concacaf Nations League appears, it would be disheartening, given their previous struggles against Panama and Canada. With the World Cup on the horizon, improvement is critical; while winning isn’t essential in this friendly, performance is.
Prediction
In a tightly contested match, the teams are likely to end in a draw, with Arda Güler scoring for Turkiye and Brian White making an impact off the bench. Prediction: USMNT 1, Turkiye 1
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Fan Take: This matchup is crucial for US soccer fans as it offers a glimpse into the team’s potential ahead of a major international tournament. Improved performance in friendlies like this could signal a turning point for the squad, boosting spirits and confidence for the World Cup campaign.
