USA suffer late defeat to Turkey but eye Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup knockout stage

The US men’s national team have already made history this summer. They scored the most goals they ever have in a single World Cup game, won two straight games in the tournament for the first time in the modern era, and wrapped up top spot in an evenly-matched Group D with a game to spare. On Thursday evening they faced a far more familiar foe: World Cup adversity. And in the key moments – the kind of spots where knockout games are won and lost – they wilted. Kaan Ayhan’s goal with the last kick of the game sealed a 3-2 win for Turkey , giving their disastrous tournament a positive ending. It also means the Americans go into last 32 – where they will play Bosnia and Herzegovina – with fresh questions. In front of 70,492 fans at Los Angeles Stadium, the Americans’ task didn’t initially look as if it would be so hard. Just as they had against Paraguay and Australia, the US went up early, this time thanks to a surprising strike from defender Auston Trusty. But the US backline crumpled under pressure in crucial moments later in the half, giving up two goals from Arda Güler in the 10th minute and Orkun Kökçü in the 31st. It was the first time the US had trailed at this tournament. Eventually, though, there was a fightback. Sebastian Berhalter equalized just after half-time with a well-hit volley. The US had several other chances that could have changed the result. …