Pulisic Leads USMNT to 3-2 Victory Over Senegal in World Cup Warm-Up
The dry spell is over for Christian Pulisic. The Milan midfielder broke a nearly six-month goal drought on Sunday, assisting on the opener and scoring a stunning goal in a 3-2 victory against No 14-ranked Senegal in Charlotte, North Carolina. With 57,741 fans in attendance, the US men’s national team showcased a lively performance, contrasting sharply with their previous outings against Portugal and Belgium. Pulisic, a key attacking player, provided optimism for a program that had struggled after two losses during the March international window. Despite the win, questions lingered about the US defense. Sadio Mané, the Senegalese legend, scored twice due to defensive lapses, highlighting ongoing issues for the US. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino faced numerous questions as the team prepares for the World Cup on home soil. Key issues included: Uncertainty in goalkeeping: Matt Turner started but no clear frontrunner emerged. Player selection concerns: Exclusions from the 26-man roster raised eyebrows. Pulisic made his mark early, assisting Sergiño Dest with a pinpoint cross after a 10-pass sequence, marking his first international goal contribution since September 2025. Just 19 minutes into the match, he scored, placing the US ahead 2-0 with a deft finish. After halftime, the US made wholesale changes, including introducing Chris Brady as goalkeeper. However, an early equalizer from Mané following a defensive error highlighted the ongoing struggles of the US defense. The US secured their third goal through Folarin Balogun in the 62nd minute, sealing the victory and boosting confidence ahead of the World Cup. Historically, the US has never lost both send-off matches before a World Cup, and this win ensures they maintain that record.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-05-31