Following their recent setback in the Concacaf Nations League, the United States men`s national team is preparing for the Gold Cup with a friendly match against Turkey, scheduled for just over a week before the tournament begins. This international window sees a somewhat depleted squad under Mauricio Pochettino, as several key players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest, Gio Reyna, and Folarin Balogun are unavailable due to Club World Cup commitments and rest.
Facing Turkey, ranked 27th globally, presents a significant challenge, especially for a USMNT roster largely composed of Major League Soccer players. This friendly will be a key indicator of Pochettino`s strategic approach and how the team performs against a quality opponent.
How to Watch USMNT vs. Turkey, Odds
- Date: Saturday, June 7 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Pratt & Whitney Stadium — East Hartford, Connecticut
- TV: TNT | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: USMNT +165; Draw +220; Türkiye +145
Last Meeting
The last encounter between these two teams was in 2014, a World Cup warm-up match where the U.S. emerged victorious. Interestingly, Hakan Calhanoglu, who featured as a substitute in that game, is anticipated to start in the upcoming friendly and will be crucial for Turkey. The U.S. team from that era went on to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup before being eliminated by Belgium in extra time.
What the Coaches Are Saying
Addressing questions about the squad`s readiness and capability, Coach Pochettino emphasized respecting the current players and stated that judgment should be reserved until after the performance. He referenced past results like the Nations League and the 2022 World Cup, noting they weren`t `good enough` then. Pochettino remarked, “`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… I will let you know after. We weren`t good enough to win the Nations League… if we go back to the World Cup, 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 his perspective on past results is fair, this marks Pochettino`s longest period working with the squad since taking over in September 2024, providing a crucial opportunity to implement his tactics and build chemistry. If the team still struggles to win matches of this caliber after significant time with the coach, it may raise concerns about the team`s potential ceiling.
How Does the Midfield Shake Out?
The midfield pool includes new faces like Sebastian Berhalter and Quinn Sullivan. Sullivan, primarily a winger at youth levels, has shifted to central roles for his club. Alongside established players like Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, Luca De La Torre, Malik Tillman, and Diego Luna, Pochettino has various options. His selections and the midfielders` performance in this friendly could influence the World Cup squad picture.
Predicted Lineups
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
Player to Watch
John Tolkin, Holstein Kiel: Left-back John Tolkin is a player to watch. Despite his club Holstein Kiel`s recent relegation from the Bundesliga, Tolkin had strong performances after joining them in January. With Antonee Robinson unavailable, this friendly could be a chance for Tolkin to establish himself as a viable option and backup for Robinson, addressing a key depth need ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Storyline to Watch
Which USMNT Shows Up? A major question is which version of the USMNT will appear. The performance seen in the Concacaf Nations League would likely not be sufficient against Turkey. An improved display is crucial, not only for building confidence but also potentially impacting perceptions of Pochettino`s suitability for the role if results don`t improve. While a win isn`t strictly necessary in a friendly, a significantly better performance is required.
Prediction
The prediction is a tense match featuring pressing tactics from both sides, resulting in a 1-1 draw. It`s anticipated that Arda Guler will open the scoring for Turkey before Brian White comes off the bench to secure a tie for the U.S. While perhaps not an aesthetically pleasing game, securing this result could boost the squad`s morale ahead of the Gold Cup. Pick: USMNT 1, Turkey 1
