USMNT Gets Boost Ahead of World Cup With Win Over Senegal

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you weren’t rooting for the U.S. Men’s National Team before, now might be the time to change that.

Sure, it was just a warm-up ahead of the World Cup kicking off in less than two weeks. But the 3-2 win against Senegal at Bank of America Stadium, in front of 57,741 fans, felt like a significant victory. More importantly, it showcased a solid performance against a formidable opponent.

Taking on a team that has claimed the African championship, the U.S. took charge early.

They dominated possession, moved the ball effectively, and it seemed like the players were truly connecting.

The first half showed the USMNT lineup performing close to its peak. Even after coach Mauricio Pochettino swapped 10 of his starting 11 players for the second half, most of the team appeared unfazed. There were a couple of notable hiccups from Miles Robinson and Chris Brady, though.

Robinson had a rough moment with a gift that a dog decided to munch on, and Brady—stepping in for Matt Turner—made a mistake that allowed Sadio Mane to equalize, giving Senegal the upper hand after a strong start for the Americans.

Despite Folarin Balogun having two goals disallowed—one for offside and another due to a questionable foul call—he did score in the 63rd minute off a cross from Tim Weah, putting the U.S. back in the lead at 3-2.

However, Balogun seemed to miss out on additional opportunities after that. There were a couple of moments where the U.S. could have extended the lead, like when Weston McKennie hit the post in the 75th minute.

It’s true that wins in friendlies are often seen as meaningless, but it’s hard to deny the confidence boost this game could provide the USMNT, which probably needed it.

Especially the first 30 minutes were among the best performances the team has delivered against such a quality opponent during this World Cup cycle.

This may not be exactly what Pochettino had in mind for his starting XI, but the strong showing could make him reconsider.

Just seven minutes in, a sequence of 20 passes concluded with Christian Pulisic finding Sergiño Dest, who arrived perfectly to score the opener.

Then, Ricardo Pepi added a second goal around 17 minutes later. His clever play opened up space for Pulisic, leading to a well-placed finish. It had been over five months since Pulisic last scored, so this moment was particularly sweet.

Pulisic’s assertive display was just what Pochettino hoped to see, and it seemed to lift the entire team.

Pepi, starting over Balogun, made a compelling case for more minutes moving forward. Turner’s goalkeeping was also commendable, with solid shot-stopping and distribution.

If there’s anything to worry about, it’s the same concern that hovered over the team this past Sunday. Without Chris Richards, the defensive line exhibited a few moments of uncertainty and slowness.

Pochettino’s aggressive tactics—while clear—didn’t help ease these worries.

Although Miles Robinson and Auston Trusty struggled in the second half, Pochettino seemed confident in the team’s ability to play aggressively. Overall, they mostly held their own.

As for Mane’s goal in the 44th minute, it emerged from a Senegalese counterattack that caught the U.S. defense off guard.

In the end, while the performance wasn’t flawless, it hinted at the potential this squad has as they prepare for the World Cup.