Following a disappointing run in the Concacaf Nations League, the United States men`s national team is preparing for the upcoming Gold Cup with a friendly match against Turkiye. This international break is unusual, with the Club World Cup and player rest impacting squad selection. Manager Mauricio Pochettino will be without several key players, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest, Gio Reyna, and Folarin Balogun, for this game.
Turkiye, ranked 27th in the FIFA men`s rankings, presents a challenging opponent for the USMNT. With a squad primarily composed of Major League Soccer players for this friendly, the match will serve as a significant test of Pochettino`s strategic approach.
Match Details
- Date & Time: Saturday, June 7, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Pratt & Whitney Stadium, East Hartford, Connecticut
- TV Broadcast: TNT
- Live Streaming: Fubo (free trial available)
- Betting Odds: USMNT +165, Draw +220, Türkiye +145
Historical Matchup
The teams last met in 2014, a friendly before the World Cup in Brazil, which the United States won. The USMNT advanced to the knockout stage in that World Cup before losing in extra time to Belgium. Despite the gap, Hakan Calhanoglu, who came on as a substitute in that 2014 game, is expected to play a vital central midfield role for Turkiye in the upcoming match.
Coach`s Perspective
With an internationally inexperienced roster, Pochettino addressed questions about the squad`s ability to win matches leading up to the Gold Cup, dismissing the idea of premature judgment.
Pochettino stated, “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… We weren’t good enough to win the Nations League… 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 acknowledging past results, Pochettino sees this camp, his longest with the squad since taking over in September 2024, as a crucial opportunity for tactical development. Success in these matches is important; if the team struggles even after extended time with the coach, it could raise concerns about the team`s potential.
Midfield Options
The inclusion of new faces like Sebastian Berhalter and Quinn Sullivan provides Pochettino with fresh choices in midfield. Sullivan has played for USMNT youth teams and often features as a winger for his club, but also occupies central roles. Alongside established players such as Jack McGlynn, Luca De La Torre, Malik Tillman, Diego Luna, and Tyler Adams, there are numerous midfield combinations Pochettino could explore in this friendly, potentially influencing future World Cup squad selections.
Predicted Lineups
Here are the projected starting XIs:
USMNT: Matt Turner, John Tolkin, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Nathan Harriel, Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Malik Tillman, Patrick Agyemang, Haji Wright
Türkiye: Ugurcan Cakir, Mert Muldur, Samet Akaydin, Caglar Soyuncu, Mustafa Eskihellac, Salih Ozcan, Hakan Calhanoglu, Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz, Baris Tilmaz, Kerem Akturkoglu
Key Player to Watch
John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel): Despite his club`s relegation from the Bundesliga, Tolkin showed strong performances after joining in January. With Antonee Robinson absent, this friendly offers Tolkin a chance to potentially secure the starting left-back spot for the USMNT. Establishing depth in this position is vital for the team`s prospects in the 2026 World Cup.
Key Storyline
Team Performance Level: If the USMNT shows the same level of performance seen in the recent Concacaf Nations League matches against Panama and Canada, it will be disappointing and likely insufficient to win against Turkiye. With the World Cup approaching, an improved display is necessary to avoid questions about Pochettino`s suitability for the role. While a win isn`t essential in this friendly, a significantly better performance is crucial.
Match Prediction
Expect a tightly contested match with high pressing from both sides, likely resulting in a draw. The game should be eventful, potentially featuring a goal from Arda Guler before Brian White comes off the bench to earn a result for the USMNT. While perhaps not aesthetically pleasing, such a result could boost the squad`s confidence. Predicted Score: USMNT 1, Turkiye 1
