Christian Pulisic shines as US kick off World Cup preparations with 3-2 win over Senegal The United States men’s national team ended a nearly six-month goal drought for Christian Pulisic with a 3-2 victory over Senegal on Sunday, marking a pivotal moment in their World Cup preparations. The match, played in Charlotte, North Carolina, saw Pulisic score and assist in a dynamic first half, helping the Americans break a streak of poor form that had plagued them since their two March losses to Portugal and Belgium. The win, which came ahead of their final tune-up against Germany on June 6 in Chicago, offered a glimmer of optimism for a team that had struggled to find consistency in recent international fixtures. Pulisic’s resurgence was central to the US’s success. Just 19 minutes into the game, he received a through ball from Ricardo Pepi, who had been instrumental throughout his 45-minute cameo, and calmly finished with a right-footed angled shot to put the US ahead 2-0. His influence extended beyond that goal, as he set up Sergiño Dest for the opener in a sequence that showcased the team’s attacking cohesion. Dest, who had been a key figure in the US’s recent friendly victories, headed home the assist after receiving a precise cross from Pulisic, who had tracked back to find the wing-back in a perfectly timed run. This goal marked Pulisic’s first international assist since September 2025, when he contributed to a 2-0 win over Japan. Despite the offensive fireworks, the US’s defensive vulnerabilities remained a concern. Senegal’s Sadio Mané, a key player for the Lions of Teranga, capitalized on defensive lapses to equalize just before halftime and then strike again shortly after the break.#christian_pulisic #mauricio_pochettino #sadio_man #ricardo_pepi #sergio_dest
USMNT Secures 3-2 Friendly Victory Over Senegal as Pulisic Shines Ahead of World Cup The U.S. men’s national team claimed a hard-fought 3-2 friendly win over Senegal on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with Christian Pulisic emerging as the standout performer. The result, a crucial warm-up ahead of the 2026 World Cup, saw the Americans overcome a chaotic second half to secure the victory. Pulisic, who scored a goal and provided an assist in the first half, was hailed as the team’s best player, while Folarin Balogun’s late game-winner sealed the win. The match began with the U.S. asserting control, as Pulisic set up Sergiño Dest for the opening goal in the seventh minute. Just minutes later, Pulisic added his own tally to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead. However, Senegal responded with two goals from Sadio Mané, who scored on both sides of halftime, turning the game into a tense second half. Balogun’s decisive strike in the 82nd minute, following a cross from Timothy Weah, ensured the U.S. retained their lead. Manager Mauricio Pochettino received a 7 out of 10 rating for his tactical approach, with the majority of his decisions proving effective despite some tactical questions. The match highlighted the challenges of managing a high-pressure friendly, particularly as the World Cup approaches. Pochettino’s staff made adjustments during the game, but the U.S. faced defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the second half. Player performances varied significantly. Goalkeeper Matt Turner received a 5, struggling to contain Mané’s early threat before making a crucial stop in the final 15 minutes. Defender Alex Freeman also earned a 5, contributing to a goal via a pass to Ricardo Pepi but failing to prevent Mané’s equalizer.#folarin_balogun #senegal #usmnt #christian_pulisic #sadio_man
