USA Falls Late But Keeps Cup Dreams Alive

Sacramento News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 26, 2026 · 1m

The U.S. men’s team suffered a dramatic stoppage-time loss to Turkey, ending their World Cup group stage with a tie that mattered little for advancement—but plenty for drama. Coach Pochettino prioritized player health over victory, resting key starters with yellow cards to avoid suspensions for the knockout round. Despite fielding nine new starters and setting a new tournament scoring record, the late defeat sparked debate over recognition for winning their group. Turkey, though eliminated, celebrated a hard-fought win and proud character. The U.S. remains focused on the bigger goal: World…