USMNT defeats Senegal 3-2 in World Cup tune-up
The USMNT edged Senegal 3-2 as Christian Pulisic ended his scoring drought with a goal and an assist in an eventful friendly.
The United States men's national team kicked off its World Cup summer with a 3-2 victory over Senegal in a friendly at Bank of America Stadium. The match provided a chaotic glimpse into Mauricio Pochettino's vision for the team, balancing fluid attacking play with defensive vulnerability.
Christian Pulisic, who entered the match without a goal in five months, served as the catalyst for the American attack. He registered an assist for Sergiño Dest's opener and added a goal of his own within the first 20 minutes. His performance validated the trust shown by coach Mauricio Pochettino, who had publicly backed his star to find the net before the tournament.
Despite taking a dominant lead, the U.S. allowed Senegal to rally back to 2-2 following defensive lapses and individual errors. The deadlock was eventually broken in the 63rd minute by substitute Folarin Balogun, who secured the win to snap the team's two-game losing streak.
While the attacking fluidity was a positive takeaway, the match highlighted the depth concerns within the squad, particularly in defensive transition. Pochettino utilized a wide range of personnel throughout the second half, offering a clearer picture of the team's current status as they approach the final stages of their preparations.