EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (June 7, 2025) — The U.S. Men’s National Team fell 2-1 to Türkiye in East Hartford, Conn., on Saturday in what was the first of two friendlies against UEFA opposition ahead of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. Three players made their senior Men’s National Team debuts as the young U.S. team showed an improved effort and determination against an experienced Turkish side.
The scoring started early on Saturday, as midfielder Jack McGlynn netted a goal in the first minute of the game, electrifying the crowd of 34,023. McGlynn took control of the ball off a leading pass from Malik Tillman, and just as the 21-year-old approached the box, he confidently struck from 18 yards. The shot curled off his left foot and into the far side netting away from Turkish goalkeeper Berke Özer’s reach. It was McGlynn’s second career international goal, whileTillman recorded his first international assist on the play.
However, Türkiye capitalized on two key moments before halftime. The Turks tallied their first goal in the 24th minute after USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso’s attempted clearance inside the 18-yard box met the knees of Arda Güler and was redirected into the U.S. net.
Three minutes later, Türkiyefound a second goal via Kerem Aktürkoğlu. As the Turkish attack pressured the U.S. six-yard box ,pair of low crosses failed to find their target, instead deflecting off defender Miles Robinson and into the path of Aktürkoğlu who finished from close range.
The U.S. found a way to halt the momentum against the experienced Turkish side and reassert themselves in the second half, yet ultimatelythe equalizer remained elusive. Finding space on the wings, the U.S. attackers delivered several dangerous crosses into the area. The team’s best chance to level the score came on a late Tillman header, but Özer found himself well-positioned to collect.
Up next, the USMNT will face Switzerland in the Coca-Cola SendOff Match in Nashville, Tenn. this Tuesday, June 10 at 8 p.m. ET. Broadcast coverage will be available on TNT, TruTV, Max, Peacock, Westwood One Sports, and Fútbol de Primera Radio. Tickets for the match can be purchased HERE.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
USA— Jack McGlynn (Malik Tillman), 1st minute: Malik Tillman got the attack started with a pass into space for Jack McGlynn on the right side. McGlynn carried the ball toward goal andunleashed a left-footed shot from distancethat hit left side of the net for his second international goal. USA 1, TUR 0
TUR — Arda Güler, 24th minute: The ball ricocheted off ofArda Güler after a clearance attempt by U.S. midfielder Johnny Cardoso and found the back of the net. USA 1, TUR 1
TUR — Kerem Aktürkoglu, 27th minute: Just minutes after the equalizer, striker Kerem Aktürkoglu scored the go-ahead goal. As the Turkish attack pressured the U.S. six-yard box, pair of low crosses failed to find their target, instead deflecting off defender Miles Robinson and into the path of Aktürkoğlu who finished from close range. USA 1, TUR 2
Additional notes:
- Three players earned their first cap including Matt Freese, Alex Freeman, and Quinn Sullivan. Freese and Freeman started while Sullivan subbed on in the second half.
- At 20 years, 303 days, Freeman was the youngest player to earn his first cap under head coach Mauricio Pochettino and first to do so during a FIFA window.
- In his hometown of East Hartford, Conn., Patrick Agyemang earned his fifth cap and made his third start. He played high school soccer just across the way from Pratt & Whitney Stadium.
- Center back Chris Richards played 90 minutes in his second time wearing the captain’s band for the USMNT.
- Malik Tillman notched his first assist for the USA in his 18th appearance.
- In a series that dates back to 1991 in Istanbul, the USMNT is 2W-2L-1D all-time against Türkiye.
-U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-
| Scoring Summary |
1 |
2 |
F |
| USA |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| TUR |
2 |
0 |
2 |
| USA – Jack McGlynn (Malik Tillman) | 1st minute |
| TUR – Arda Güler | 24 |
| TUR – Kerem Aktürkoglu | 27 |
USA: 25-Matt Freese; 27-Max Arfsten (19-Haji Wright, 65), 12-Miles Robinson (22-Mark McKenzie, 46), 3-Chris Richards (Capt.), 16-Alex Freeman; 15-Johnny Cardoso (4-Tyler Adams, 46), 6-Jack McGlynn (7-Quinn Sullivan, 65); 14-Luca de la Torre, 17-Malik Tillman, 10-Diego Luna (20-Nathan Harriel, 65); 24-Patrick Agyemang (23-Brian White, 75’)
Substitutes not used: 1-Matt Turner, 26-Chris Brady, 2-John Tolkin, 5-Walker Zimmerman, 8-Sebastian Berhalter, 9-Damion Downs, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 13-Tim Ream, 21-Paxten Aaronson
Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino
TUR: 12-Berke Özer; 2-Zeki Çelik, 4-Caglar Söyüncü (15-Yusuf Akcicek, 76), 3-Merih Demiral, 13-Eren Elmali (24-Mustafa Eskihellac, 76); 16-Ismail Yüksek, 20-Oguz Aydin (9-Baris Alper Yilmaz, 66); 10-Arda Güler, 6-Orkun Kökçü (22-Kaan Ayhan, 65), 7-Kerem Aktürkoglu (21-Can Uzun, 84); 11-Kenan Yildiz (17-Irfan Can Kahveci, 76)
Substitutes not used: 1-Altay Bayindir, 5-Okay Yokuslu, 14-Samet Akaydin, 18-Mert Müldür, 19-Deniz Gül, 23-Muhammed Sengezer, 25-Demir Ege Tiknaz, 26-Yasin Ozcan
Head coach: Vincenzo Montella
Stats Summary: USA / TUR
Shots: 13 / 11
Shots on Goal: 3 / 5
Saves: 3 / 2
Corner Kicks: 4 / 5
Fouls: 14 / 8
Offside: 0 / 1
| TUR - Yusuf Akcicek (Caution) | 78th minute |
| USA – Nathan Harriel (Caution) | 85 |
Officials:
Referee: Fernando Moron (PAN)
Assistant 1: Andres Vargas (PAN)
Assistant 2: Alejandro Camarena (PAN)
Fourth Official: Randy Encarnacion (DOM)
