EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Not for the first time, U.S. men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino arrived at a post-match press conference after a loss, this time a 2-1 defeat to Turkiye in the first of two friendlies that will precede the Gold Cup. There was one thing he was relieved about, though.

Vickers, and now the injured Folarin Balogun.There are still plenty of stars, including Tyler Adams, Chris Richards, and perhaps-Atleti-bound Johnny Cardoso, so this will be fun.MORE — USMNT roster | USMNT schedule,

The Americans dropped to 5-4 under Pochettino, who took over after a first-round elimination in last year’s Copa America led the U.S. Soccer Federation to fire coach Gregg Berhalter. They have lost three straight for the second time in a year.