USMNT Prepares for Türkiye Friendly in East Hartford

East Hartford, Conn. — The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) is set to face Türkiye this Saturday, June 7, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. This match marks the first of two friendlies for the USMNT in preparation for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held on home soil.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino sees the friendly as a significant opportunity. “I think it’s an amazing chance for us to test ourselves against a team that had great success last year,” he stated. The team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing finish in the recent Nations League, where they placed fourth.

The friendly against Türkiye will allow the USMNT to gain valuable experience. The squad features six new players, including goalkeepers Matt Freese and Chris Brady, defenders Alex Freeman and Quinn Sullivan, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, and forward Damion Downs. These rookies were also included on the Gold Cup roster.

Pochettino emphasized the importance of trust in the roster. “We have nearly a month together, and it’s important to believe we can win,” he noted. The absence of several key players due to injuries or other commitments has opened the door for new talent to showcase their skills.

One notable player is Patrick Agyemang, who grew up in East Hartford. After earning his first national team call-up and scoring his first international goal earlier this year, playing at his hometown stadium is particularly special for him. “It’s definitely exciting […] It’s a nice feeling because it shows your commitment paid off,” Agyemang shared.

Another interesting storyline involves brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson, both on the roster. Should they play together, they will become the second brother duo in USMNT history to do so. Paxten expressed the significance of the moment, saying, “It’s something you dream about as a kid.”

The USMNT has faced Türkiye four times before, boasting a record of 2 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Their last encounter was in June 2014. Despite not qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, Türkiye remains a robust opponent, currently ranked 27th globally.

While some of the USMNT’s star players, such as Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, are absent from this squad, Pochettino believes this is a prime opportunity for newer players to step forward. “It’s important not to pay too much attention to absences and focus on those present,” Pochettino said.

The match will be available for viewing on TNT and truTV, as well as through streaming services like Max, in both English and Spanish. The USMNT is eager to make a strong impression ahead of the Gold Cup, which begins on June 14.