The USMNT's loss to Turkey delivered a clear warning for the knockout stage | OneFootball

The match between the USMNT and Turkey has officially ended. Someone who doesn’t have context won’t understand how the US team lost against a team that’s already been eliminated from the World Cup.

For that set of fans who don’t understand, Mauricio Pochettino decided to rest the usual starting lineup, except for Weston McKennie, making it clear that with the early qualification to the Round of 32, this was a game to give some players minutes in the tournament.

Nevertheless, ahead of their match against Bosnia, the Argentine manager has a key lesson to take from this defeat. Join us to talk about the major takeaway from this defeat against Turkey.

The backup squad is not up to the same level.

I’m sorry, guys, but that’s the truth. What we’ve just witnessed is not what the starting lineup showed against Paraguay and Australia.

Yes, I know some of you think Turkey is a better team than the other two; you could be right, but if you have seen the game, you’ll agree with me.

The match got off to the perfect start, with the USMNT finding the back of the net just three minutes into the game.

However, from that moment on, their chances would not go in. At the other end, Arda Güler and the rest of Turkey's attacking players do almost whatever they want against the U.S. defense. Sorry to deliver this harsh truth, but I can’t lie.

Weah didn’t win a single 1v1 against his defender, Reyna seemed lost for moments, and Aaronson showed something, but it isn’t enough.

With Pepi, it's different; Pochettino wanted him to play as Balogun, and it didn’t happen.

The reality is, Turkey left significant gaps in their defense, revealing multiple vulnerabilities that the USMNT should have exploited more effectively. That’s on offense.

During the second half, Christian Pulisic was subbed in, and the USMNT offense seemed to revive, and that’s when they created more danger, with Captain America on the field.

When the team shifted into its defensive shape, the Turkish striker caused all kinds of problems against the three center backs.

There was very little connection between the defenders and the goalkeeper when it came to marking just one man. Also, now it's clear why Turner isn’t the starting goalkeeper for the World Cup.

Still, the important thing is that the USMNT could afford to lose this match.

But Pochettino knows his backups are not at the same level as his starters, and that should worry him whenever an injury appears, as was the case with Christian Pulisic.