WORLD CUP: Pochettino annoyed by perceived disappointment after U.S. finishes group play with 3-2 loss to Turkey

Pochettino was frustrated after the United States’ World Cup group finale ended with a 3-2 loss to Turkey, but the coach said the result did not reflect a decline in his squad. Turkey’s Kaan Ayhan scored with the final kick to send the team through in stoppage time, delivering the visitors their only World Cup win. The U.S. still advanced because it will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on Wednesday. Playing at Inglewood, the Americans started the second half with Sebastian Berhalter’s equalizer and had been close to an unbeaten run. Pochettino used nine new starters, resting all four key players who had picked up yellow cards earlier, while Christian Pulisic returned in the 58th minute after a calf injury. Brenden Aaronson and Pochettino defended the rotation and timing, emphasizing they finished first in their group.