EAST HARTFORD, Connecticut — U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed disappointment after his squad fell short against Turkey, losing 2-1 in a friendly matchup at Pratt & Whitney Stadium over the weekend, marking their third consecutive defeat.
Jack McGlynn opened the scoring just seconds into the match, but the momentum shifted quickly as Turkey’s Arda Güler and Kerem Aktürkoğlu struck back with two goals in under three minutes, handing the U.S. their first loss in a series of preparation games leading up to the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup this summer.
With a record of 5-4 since Pochettino took over after the U.S. Soccer Federation parted ways with Gregg Berhalter post-Copa América, the team finds itself struggling again, notching three straight losses for the second time within a year.
Pochettino is the first U.S. coach to lose three consecutive matches since Jurgen Klinsmann did so in 2015. “We played well overall,” Pochettino remarked during the post-match press conference. “Turkey is a formidable opponent, and I felt we started off strong, maintaining a high level of play for the first 20 minutes. However, conceding twice so quickly after scoring impacted us emotionally.”
The coach’s sentiments were echoed by midfielder Tyler Adams, who was subbed in at halftime. Adams acknowledged the unfamiliar experience of facing a non-Concacaf team for many players this match-up represented a significant learning opportunity. “While the result is disappointing, there are plenty of positives to take from this experience,” he said.
Luca de la Torre voiced similar thoughts: “Our play was commendable, and a draw would have been a fairer outcome.”
Pochettino emphasized the crucial nature of the upcoming weeks for the team’s preparation for the Gold Cup, especially with key veterans like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie absent. This opens the door for newer players like Alex Freeman and Diego Luna to gain valuable international experience.
“We are aware that our players have varied skill levels, so this two-week period is essential for achieving readiness for the Gold Cup,” he stated. “We’re committed to winning and performing effectively, even though the challenge will be significant.”
The U.S. Men’s National Team will look to regroup as they face Switzerland in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, the final friendly before they begin their Gold Cup journey against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15. Following that, they will meet Haiti and Saudi Arabia in Group D, striving for a place in the knockout stage.
Information sourced from The Associated Press.