USA vs Turkey final score: USMNT win 2-1

The United States men’s national team had a lackluster start to their World Cup warm-up when they played Azerbaijan on Tuesday night. They got a win, but they struggled to create offensive opportunities relying on set pieces for opportunities.

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They were also without captain Clint Dempsey who was held out because of groin stiffness for precautionary reasons. On Sunday they look to make a stronger statement and put in a more convincing performance against Turkey, and they’ll do so with Dempsey back in the starting line up.

The game started off with a solid back and forth between the two teams. Early in the game, Turkey’s Nuri Şahin had a shot at goal go just wide and the USMNT could’ve been looking at their first deficit in their World Cup warm ups.

Minutes later, Jozy Altidore thought he had given the Americans the lead with a goal, off of a set piece. A corner kick came in and the initial header was defended. The ball came to Altidore’s feet and he put it in the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed. The referee waved it off calling Altidore a foul for pushing the goal keeper in the back before the ball came to Altidore.

A closer angle shows Altidore putting his hand on the keeper’s back and apparently giving him a little shove in the back, knocking him off balance and allowing for the opportunity to open to score.

While the Americans offensive efforts might have looked better early in the game, the American defense struggled just as much. They gave the Turkish side some opportunities that they didn’t capitalize on.

In the 26th minute, Fabian Johnson scored for the United States and it didn’t come off a set piece. Instead it came on a superb amount of play from Johnson himself. He took the run and dumped the ball to midfielder Michael Bradley about 25 yards out. Bradley chipped the ball over the back line to Johnson who continued his run into the box, and Johnson hit it first time with his left foot putting it in the bottom left corner to give the Americans the lead.

Not only was the goal scoring strike an incredible play and display of talent but everything about the play was something American fans could feel confident about. Johnson’s run before passing the ball to Bradley was strong, Bradley’s pass was beautiful and the finish was equally remarkable It was a goal that was a great display of teamwork as well.

Here is a video of the goal:

The Americans made some substitutes in the break, including subbing on Brad Guzan for Tim Howard in the goal. Kyle Beckerman came on as well. The Untied States got another early goal in the second half to increase their lead to 2-0.

This goal wasn’t the prettiest, but the great news is that it didn’t come off a set piece showing that the American offense can create and seize goal scoring opportunities. A low cross made its way across the front of the goal and after a Turkish defender whiffed on clearing it, the ball found its way to forward Clint Dempsey at the back post. He tapped it in from a couple yards out for an easy goal.

After that goal, a Turkish forward got behind the defense and had an open shot at goal but Guzan made a big save to keep the clean sheet. The USMNT subbed on the young Julian Green as well who made his presence felt early and nearly got a goal-scoring opportunity early on.

Altidore got an opportunity after getting behind the defense minutes later. He ran around a defender who went to the ground and he was in on the keeper alone. The shot was saved and a late whistle blew when Altidore got the ball back, stemming from that defender falling down. It was an eye-brow raising incident but it wouldn’t have mattered like after Altidore’s disallowed goal in the first half.

In the 79th there was an incredible opportunity for Altidore and the American side to get a goal. Altidore got behind the defense and a volley into the box, he elected to not go one-on-one with the keeper, from an awkward angle to the side of the goal, instead allowing his teammates to come in the box. He chipped it across to Mix Diskerud, who tried to chest it down but in doing so a Turkish defender kicked it away.

Minutes later Altidore was bringing the ball into the box and looked like he had another chance to score and took shot but the keeper made a strong save to keep Altidore scoreless.

Things got a little rough for the USMNT at the end of the game. In the final minutes, Timmy Chandler gave away the ball and a shot on goal was stopped by an American defender’s hand giving up a penalty kick. Selçuk İnan scored from the spot to bring Turkey with in one goal and set up a less than comfortable finish for the American men but ultimately they held on.

The final warm-up game for the United States is June 7 against Nigeria in Jacksonville, FL.

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