USA Secure Opening Win Against Turkey
The United States men's national team kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Turkey at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Goals from Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi secured the three points for the Americans, while Turkey's lone goal came from Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
First Half Dominance
The US took control early, with Pulisic opening the scoring in the 12th minute after a swift counter-attack. Pepi doubled the lead in the 38th minute, heading home from a corner kick. Turkey struggled to create clear chances, managing only one shot on target in the first half.
Turkey's Second Half Fightback
Turkey emerged stronger after the break, and Çalhanoğlu pulled one back in the 55th minute with a stunning free kick from 25 yards. The goal energized the Turkish side, but the US defense held firm, limiting Turkey to long-range efforts. US goalkeeper Matt Turner made a crucial save in the 78th minute to preserve the lead.
Key Statistics and Impact
The US recorded 14 shots to Turkey's 9, with 6 on target. Possession was nearly even at 51% for the US. According to coach Gregg Berhalter, "It was a complete team performance. We showed resilience after their goal and managed the game well." The win puts the US top of Group B, with their next match against Iran.
