Christian Pulisic snapped a six-month scoring drought in spectacular fashion on Sunday, leading the United States men’s national team to a 3-2 victory over Senegal in their first pre-World Cup send-off friendly. The win, played before 57,741 fans in Charlotte, North Carolina, injected much-needed confidence into a squad that had been mired in uncertainty after a pair of lackluster defeats in March. Pulisic’s first-half assist and goal not only ended his run of five scoreless international appearances but also provided a glimpse of the creativity and sharpness that will be essential when the USMNT hosts the World Cup in just a few weeks.
The match started with an early statement as the U.S. carved out a superb team goal just seven minutes in. A fluid 10-pass move started with captain Tim Ream finding Antonee Robinson near the sideline, before Ricardo Pepi slipped a ball to a surging Pulisic. The AC Milan midfielder’s pinpoint cross across the face of goal was touched home by PSV wing-back Sergiño Dest, igniting the home crowd. It was Dest’s second international goal and a sign that Pochettino’s attacking patterns are beginning to take hold.
Pulisic put his own frustrations to rest in the 19th minute with a goal of genuine quality. Pepi, who was lively throughout his 45-minute outing, fed a through ball 20 yards from goal. Pulisic’s deft first touch carried him away from goalkeeper Mory Diaw, and his right-footed finish from a tight angle rippled the net to double the lead. The moment encapsulated Pulisic’s best attributes—close control, acceleration, and composure—and hinted that his club-form struggles at Milan may not define his international summer. “The dry spell is over,” seemed to echo through the stadium as the winger wheeled away in celebration.
Senegal, however, exposed familiar defensive frailties that continue to haunt Pochettino’s side. Sadio Mané pulled a goal back before half-time after an errant pass from Robinson, with Tyler Adams unable to intervene. Then, minutes after the break, a calamitous back-pass from Miles Robinson was pounced on by Mané, who bore down on goal and beat a slow-to-react Brady to level the match at 2-2. Conceding immediately after the interval has become a troubling pattern: the U.S. gave up goals within 10 minutes of half-time in both March friendlies against Portugal and Belgium, and here it almost cost them dearly.
The winner came in the 62nd minute through Folarin Balogun, who converted a deflected cross from Timothy Weah. Weston McKennie’s high press forced a giveaway, and his quick feed to Weah created the chance. Balogun’s clinical finish—his fifth in 12 caps—secured the result and underscored the squad’s attacking depth. But the manner of the two concessions will give Pochettino sleepless nights as he finalizes his World Cup plans.
Defensive resilience remains the most pressing concern. Cameroon’s physicality and Germany’s precision in the upcoming tune-up match will provide sterner tests. Goalkeeper Matt Turner started on Sunday and was reasonable, but his replacement at half-time, Brady, looked uncertain. The third-choice ‘keeper’s poor positioning on Mané’s second goal only deepened the uncertainty in a position that lacks a clear No. 1. Pochettino has intentionally rotated between Turner and Matt Freese, yet neither has seized the job with both hands.
The historical record of send-off friendlies offers both comfort and caution. In 2006, the U.S. breezed past Venezuela and Latvia before crashing out in the group stage without a win. Conversely, a tepid display against the Netherlands in 2002 preceded a run to the quarter-finals. Sunday’s result ensures the USMNT will not lose both of their preparatory matches, a fate they have avoided in every World Cup cycle. More than the scoreline, the performance restored a sense of belief that had been eroded after the March window.
Pochettino’s lineup choices reflected a coach still searching for his best XI. Gio Reyna earned his first start for club or country since November 2025, looking sharp but not yet fully sharp. The wholesale changes at half-time—with every outfield player except Sebastian Berhalter replaced—showed Pochettino’s intent to evaluate his entire squad. That Brady was thrown into the fray suggested the coach wants a final look at the pecking order behind the sticks before the Germany clash on 6 June in Chicago.
The win lifted a weight from the program, particularly for Pulisic, whose international goal drought had become a talking point. His last contribution came in a 2-0 friendly win over Japan in September 2025, and with the World Cup spotlight looming, his return to form couldn’t have come at a better time. “It was important for him and for us to see Christian back on the scoresheet,” was the unspoken sentiment that will dominate post-match analysis.
As the USMNT shifts focus to their final test against Germany, the evening in Charlotte will be remembered as a successful—if imperfect—launch to their World Cup preparations. The attacking verve was undeniable, but the defensive lapses served as a reminder that the margin for error will be razor-thin when the tournament kicks off on home soil.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.
