INGLEWOOD, Calif. - As the final whistle sounded at SoFi Stadium, figuring out the main takeaway from the United States men's national team's 3-2 loss to Türkiye was not straightforward. Should frustration arise from the late winning goal? Or should comfort come from how some of the squad's newer faces developed during the match?

Both reactions seem fitting. Early on, the U.S. appeared outmatched at times by Türkiye's skill on the ball. Yet the Americans mounted a determined effort after the break that looked set to end in a 2-2 tie. Türkiye struck last though, as Kaan Ayhan scored deep into added time for a 3-2 victory. It stung, and it offers a clear reminder for the USMNT.

Few players viewed the outcome that way at the time.

"I think tonight is maybe just a half a step back, but again, we know that if we want to beat good teams, we have to play 90 plus minutes of hard football and get results," said defender Chris Richards, who sat out the evening. "So for us, we look at the positives from tonight. Obviously, every game's going to have some negatives that you can learn from. So we're just using it as a learning opportunity rather than a gut punch."

U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino chose to highlight the wider view, noting that the USMNT advances in the event.

"The mood is like we [are going] home tonight and Türkiye is staying," he said. "I need to [remind] you and everyone that we won the group. Sorry guys, we won."

The display was far from perfect, marked by sharp swings between strong and weak moments. This was unsurprising given Pochettino's choice of a much-changed side. Christian Pulisic's return helped the attack, as his 58th-minute entry - his first action since halftime against Paraguay - made the U.S. look sharper going forward. Before that, set pieces had been the main source of threat. It underlined how much smoother the hosts play with Pulisic available.

The rotation aligned with Pochettino's pre-match comments, driven in part by four regulars - Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Antonee Robinson, and Richards - carrying yellow cards. The goal was to limit any risk of further bookings that would sideline them for the round of 32. With first place secured and Türkiye already out, little was on the line in terms of standings. This also allowed minutes for players who had seen little action so far, providing experience that could prove useful later.

In the end, only Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi retained their places from the prior lineup. Türkiye boss Vincenzo Montella - expected to depart after the event - also made seven changes, though Arda Güler and Kenan Yildiz stayed in the XI.

The setup pointed to an open contest, and that is what occurred. Auston Trusty gave the U.S. an early lead in the third minute after Sebastian Berhalter's corner reached him at the back post for a finish. Yet a 19th-minute foul by Berhalter that brought a yellow seemed to energize Türkiye, which played with greater intensity and netted twice before the break, first through Güler in the 10th minute and then Orkun Kökçü in the 31st.

Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson had issues on both goals, misjudging plays and losing their marks inside the area. The midfield offered little cover, as Güler's incisive ball in the 31st minute found Eren Elmali on the left, whose cross picked out an unmarked Kökçü for the finish.

The second half brought renewed U.S. energy, with Berhalter striking from distance in the 49th minute to level. Further openings arose, but Türkiye claimed the winner late on.

"I think at certain times maybe we could have controlled the game a little bit better and then maybe just got the ball better in their half, especially our positioning, too," Berhalter said.

"First half felt like we were a little bit all over the place. Maybe too many guys behind the ball and not enough in front of the ball. But yeah, again, this is a group that was ready and that was itching to play. Again, I'm proud of everyone and I think everyone should be proud of themselves."

Was Pochettino correct to rotate? The result aside, the answer appears yes. Depth will matter if the U.S. advances far. The comeback supplied useful minutes to several fringe players. Avoiding further cards for those on yellows also spared Pochettino heavy criticism.

More key, the side improved as the match went on, adjusting to the tempo and physical demands after the interval. Berhalter showed this shift, moving past early uncertainty to score the equalizer. Coming from behind should lift the group's confidence. Conceding late will serve as a prompt that focus must hold until the end.

"I think every game is important for us. Every game is, you want to go out there and win," said defender McKenzie, who completed the full 90 minutes. "We don't come into this feeling like it's a free game all. No, we wanted to win and unfortunately, we didn't, but at the same time, I think it's another step for this group to figure out what we need to improve, as always. And now we have the round of 32 coming up in a few days. So, the biggest thing out is we'll recover, regroup and go again."

Despite the defeat, signs point to a strong U.S. run ahead. Pulisic's return should boost belief. The attack had lacked its usual spark since his exit against Paraguay. Without him, pressing and set-piece work had kept the side moving forward. Pulisic had his own lapses, including being beaten by Güler before the winner. Still, his lively style will be essential against the opponents the USMNT will face next. Pulisic - whose shot hit the post - remains central to unlocking defenses.

Questions about squad depth remain after this outing. The defense clearly needs its top players fit. Goalkeeper Matt Turner also had shaky moments, including the winner passing between his legs. Tim Weah noted his display fell short and was replaced by Pulisic early in the second half.

"I think I was the only disappointing player out there today," he said. "I mean, you watch the game and it's just being honest. I think everyone else was up to par and everyone played well. I think everyone that was out there today deserved to be out there. Me personally, I don't think so."

Such heavy rotation will not be needed again, as yellows reset and injured players return. Pulisic must feature, but so too must Richards, Adams, Robinson and others. Pochettino will need to manage his bench wisely as the tournament intensifies.

Pre-match talk focused on the risk of losing momentum with a defeat to Türkiye. Some rhythm may have slipped, yet the match could help in the longer term. It served as a warning that nothing is assured. With the round of 32 near, the Americans know they must perform at their peak to keep advancing.