As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, Türkiye’s Crescent-Stars will cross the Atlantic for a vital litmus test against the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) on Saturday.
The friendly at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut, is a strategic dress rehearsal for both squads eyeing glory in 2026.
For Vincenzo Montella’s Türkiye, the fixture is a golden opportunity to measure themselves against the North American side.
The Crescent-Stars are riding high after a dominant UEFA Nations League run, most recently dismantling Hungary 3-0 on March 23.
That match highlighted the team’s blend of attacking depth and defensive discipline, hallmarks of Montella’s modern, possession-based system that pivots quickly into fast-paced transitions.
Saturday’s contest is the first of two stateside friendlies that will expose Türkiye to non-European tactics and tempo – a necessary adjustment as the World Cup approaches.
However, the timing of this clash falls outside the official FIFA international window, which means Montella may be forced to reshuffle his deck.
Several key players might be tied up with club duties, especially those preparing for the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins just a week later.
Even so, the Italian tactician is expected to field a competitive eleven that balances seasoned veterans with the country’s brightest emerging talents.
Though the final squad list remains under wraps, Montella is likely to lean on the same spine that fueled Türkiye’s recent surge.
Mert Günok, the battle-tested Beşiktaş keeper, should anchor the back, shielded by a physical and mobile defense featuring Mert Müldür, Merih Demiral, Çağlar Söyüncü and Ferdi Kadıoğlu.
The midfield trio could see İsmail Yüksek and Salih Özcan sitting deep, providing the cover and balance that allows captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu to orchestrate from the front.
The Inter Milan maestro, a set-piece specialist and midfield general, remains Türkiye’s heartbeat.
In attack, Montella may opt for a fluid trio of İrfan Kahveci, Orkun Kökçü and Kerem Aktürkoğlu, whose pace and finishing have troubled even the stiffest of European defenses.
Yet with Enes Ünal pushing for a starting spot, and prodigy Arda Güler possibly available off the bench depending on Real Madrid’s clearance, Türkiye’s options remain rich.
If Çalhanoğlu or Demiral are unavailable due to Club World Cup commitments, Montella can call on capable replacements like Galatasaray’s Kaan Ayhan or Yunus Akgün to fill the void.
Tactically, Türkiye will aim to control possession and break through the USMNT’s expected high press with quick, vertical passes.
Their midfield duo of Yüksek and Özcan is designed to absorb pressure and pivot rapidly into attack, allowing Çalhanoğlu to find pockets of space and unleash line-breaking balls.
The recent thrashing of Hungary was a textbook display: goals from Aktürkoğlu, Kahveci and Kökçü underscored the team’s attacking layers and willingness to strike from anywhere.
The USMNT, led by Mauricio Pochettino, will bring their signature intensity, pressing high, running hard and testing defensive structures.
But Türkiye’s muscle memory against elite European opponents could give them the upper hand in managing that tempo and seizing control in key moments.
Their battle-hardened core has proven they can go the distance, with their Euro 2024 quarterfinal finish offering both confidence and caution.
Beyond tactics and form, the match is packed with storylines.
This is not just about fitness or formation – it’s about Türkiye seeing how their evolving identity stacks up against CONCACAF’s best on foreign soil.
It’s about Montella integrating youth with experience, possibly unleashing a Güler moment under American lights.
And it’s about signaling intent for a World Cup campaign that could be Türkiye’s most promising in years.
Content Source: www.dailysabah.com