USMNT Defeats Senegal 3-2, Passes Key World Cup Test
(CHARLOTTE, NC = Won Jeong) — The U.S. Men’s National Team earned a valuable 3-2 victory over Senegal in a World Cup warm-up match, boosting confidence ahead of the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Playing before a crowd of 57,741 at Bank of America Stadium on May 31, the United States received goals from Sergiño Dest, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun to secure the win over the African powerhouse.
The match marked the first time the full U.S. World Cup roster had played together since head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced his 26-man squad earlier this week. From the opening whistle, the Americans controlled possession and dictated the pace of play.
The United States struck first in the seventh minute. Ricardo Pepi escaped defensive pressure and found Christian Pulisic on the left side. Pulisic delivered a low cross into the box, where Dest finished with a powerful right-footed strike to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The Americans doubled their advantage in the 20th minute. Alex Freeman sent Pepi behind Senegal’s defensive line, and the striker quickly squared the ball to Pulisic. The U.S. star calmly rounded goalkeeper Mory Diaw and slotted the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Despite controlling much of the first half, the United States conceded just before halftime. Senegal captain Sadio Mané capitalized on a through ball from Habib Diarra and finished from close range in the 44th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Pochettino made sweeping changes at halftime, replacing 10 of his 11 starters as part of the team’s final preparations for the World Cup.
Senegal equalized in the 52nd minute after Mané punished a defensive turnover and scored his second goal of the match. The goal leveled the score at 2-2 and briefly shifted momentum toward the visitors.
The U.S. response was immediate. After two second-half goals were disallowed, Balogun restored the lead in the 63rd minute. Tim Weah’s cross deflected off a Senegal defender and fell perfectly for the striker, who fired a right-footed shot into the lower-left corner to make it 3-2.
The Americans continued to create chances, with Weston McKennie hitting the post in the 75th minute, but were unable to add a fourth goal. Defensively, the U.S. held firm through the closing stages to preserve the victory.
Pulisic was the standout performer of the evening, recording one goal and one assist. The goal was his 33rd for the national team, while the assist marked the 20th of his international career. He now ranks fourth all-time in combined goals and assists for the United States.
Balogun’s winner was his ninth international goal, while Pepi continued his strong form by recording an assist in consecutive matches for the first time in his U.S. career.
The victory also extended the United States’ winning streak against African opposition to seven matches, the program’s longest active streak against any confederation outside Concacaf.
The USMNT will conclude its World Cup preparations on June 6 against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago before opening the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles.
