The United States will attempt to bounce back from their recent CONCACAF Nations League disappointment when they play host to Turkey in an international friendly on Saturday evening.
Despite heading into their semi-final with Panama on a run of four successive victories, Mauricio Pochettino witnessed his side concede a 94th-minute goal to succumb to a 1-0 defeat in California.
That was followed by a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Canada in the third-place playoff, upping the stakes for Pochettino as he bids to get his team back on track.
Meanwhile, Turkey – on the back of thrashing Hungary in their own Nations League ties back in March – have travelled Stateside to take on USA and Mexico in a high-profile double-header.
Since reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, Turkey have suffered just one defeat in eight games, a surprise defeat in Montenegro.
How the bookies see it: Turkey surprise underdogs
Despite their recent defeats, USA are backed as the marginal favourites for this contest at 13/10. BoyleSports have Turkey as outsiders at 19/10, betting odds that are sure to prove attractive with punters. The draw is priced at 9/4, another attractive option when considering the amount of substitutions that will likely take place.
Head to head: First meeting in 11 years
This will represent just the fifth-ever meeting between the two nations, the fourth in a friendly with their only competitive encounter coming in the 2003 Confederations Cup.
On that occasion, Turkey ran out 2-1 victors, and it is the only time that they have ever defeated USA.
Since then, just two friendlies have taken place in 2010 and 2014 respectively. Both matches were staged in the United States with the home team prevailing by a 2-1 scoreline on each occasion.
Players to watch: USA to blood MLS players?
With regards to the United States, it is more about what players are missing than which ones are to watch. A wide range of their star names are missing the upcoming two friendlies and Gold Cup after a long season in Europe.
Christian Pulisic is the most notable name, a player who Pochettino feels should be his nation's Lionel Messi. Antonee Robinson is missing through injury, as is Folarin Balogun, while Weston McKennie, Giovanni Reyna and Yusuf Musah will also play no part.
There are seven uncapped players in this squad, six of which are from MLS sides. Right-sided Orlando City player Alex Freeman has been rewarded for his sparkling start to the MLS season with his first call-up.
In sharp contrast, the majority of Turkey's star names have made the trip, Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler among them as he bids to make an impression before representing the La Liga giants at the Club World Cup.
Predicted lineups: Dest opportunity
Given the mass absences for the United States, opportunities will be handed to several players, with Sergino Dest in line to feature in a full-back role having recovered from a serious knee injury.
Patrick Agyemang may start down the centre of the attack in what would be reward for his three goals from four appearances for his country.
Meanwhile, Turkey may potentially only make the one alteration, reintroducing Merih Demiral into the defence with Metehan Baltaci missing from the squad.
Although Guler is in line to start, his game time may be managed with the Club World Cup in mind.
USA: Turner – Dest, Richards, Ream, Arfsten – McGlynn, Adams, Cardoso, – Tillman, Agyemang, Luna
Turkey: Cakir – Muldur, Akaydin, Demiral, Elmali – Yuksek, Calhanoglu – Aydun, Guler, Yildiz – Akturkoglu
Anything else catch the eye?
In four of their last seven matches, Turkey have scored three times or more. When the USA are missing a host of players and are vulnerable after their recent defeats, Turkey winning half-time and full-time at 4/1 feels like the way to go with BoyleSports.
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