Auston Trusty scored before being stretchered off in the USA’s 3-2 World Cup defeat to Turkey.
In his first start of the tournament, Trusty operated as a left-back in Mauricio Pochetino’s side, who had already all but secured top spot in the group.
The Celtic defender had been benched as the US won their opening two matches of the tournament against Paraguay and Australia, with Pochettino opting for Chris Richards and Tim Ream instead.
In from the start in California, Trusty didn’t take long to make his mark.
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Auston Trusty scores for USA vs Turkey but left ‘in his head’
Trusty reminded us all that he used to be an attacking player by brilliantly bringing the ball down and dispatching it with his left foot.
It was his first international goal, and came in just the third minute of the match.
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It ended up being quite the encounter, with Arda Guler equalising for Turkey shortly later before Baris Yilmaz turned it around.
2-1 behind at the break, the US then equalised through Sebastian Berhalter on 49 minutes, and that was how it remained until the dying embers.
Kaan Ahyan then stepped up to win the game for Turkey, with Trusty injuring himself in an attempt to clear the shot over the line.
An emotional Trusty was asked about his emotions after the bittersweet injury, telling Fox Sports: “I can’t really react to it.
“Honestly, I am in my head right now. I rolled my ankle pretty bad. How am I feeling? I’ll be alright. Honestly, I don’t know — heard a little something, but I’ll be fine. No worries.
“Obviously, we won the group. That’s a positive. I think this is just one of those losses that we put behind, learn from it.”
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The USA will now face Bosnia in the Round of 32, a reward for securing first place in the tournament.
Of course, two Bosnia players are currently linked with the Hoops in the shape of Benjamin Tahirovic and Ivan Basic.
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