USA beat Senegal 3-2 as Pulisic finds form ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Christian Pulisic ended his goal drought and Folarin Balogun rifled home the winner as the much-improved United States beat Senegal 3-2 in a pre-World Cup friendly in Charlotte on Sunday.

The win – and a fluent attacking performance in the first half, made possible by Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi, before several substitutions disrupted the match – provided a welcome boost for coach Mauricio Pochettino’s co-host.

The US had gone head-to-head with African power Senegal after disappointing losses to Belgium and Portugal, achieving the performances needed to justify high expectations ahead of the World Cup in less than two weeks.

Sergino Dest opened the scoring, while experienced ex-Liverpool striker Sadio Mane scored a brace in a disappointing defeat for the Africa Cup of Nations finalists that nevertheless exposed some lingering weaknesses in the US defence.

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It was a dream start for the US, with a goal after six minutes that started with striker Pepi making his first American start since 2024.

Pepi turned away from goal and played a blind through ball down the left for Pulisic, who whipped in a cross for Dest to fire in from close range.

Pulisic was a constant threat. He seemed to have recovered from his recent troubles at AC Milan and almost scored an even earlier goal with a low cross that flashed across the penalty area.

And things soon got even better for “Captain America” as he ended his five-month goal drought for club or country.

The impressive Pepi again played an important role, collecting Alex Freeman’s forward ball and playing a perfectly weighted through ball to Pulisic.

Pulisic rounded the keeper and sent him into the near post, to wild scenes of celebration and relief. The American players received a standing ovation during the game’s first hydration break.

Although the US pressed and tackled with high intensity, Senegal had its chances.

Goalkeeper Matt Turner escaped a penalty during an audition to win back Matt Freese’s starting position when he reached the ball with his fingertips just ahead of an onrushing Mane.

Senegal responded to being 2-0 down by stepping up their own game, with Iliman Ndiaye forcing a save from Turner at the near post.

Senegal struck two minutes before the end of the first half. Antonee Robinson was caught in possession by Habib Diarra, who raced out of position past Sebastian Berhalter.

38-year-old American captain Tim Ream kept his distance and allowed a pass to Mane, who shook off Tyler Adams’ pressure to make it 2-1.

Pochettino made no fewer than 10 substitutions at half-time, bringing on the few first-choice names who had not yet started the match, including Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah and Balogun.

Balogun thought he had scored almost immediately, but his effort was disallowed for offside.

Senegal added insult to injury by scoring at the other end shortly afterwards. Third-choice keeper Chris Brady endured a nightmare debut, not helped by Miles Robinson’s misplaced backpass.

Brady rushed out and missed the ball, giving Mane his brace.

There would be no hat-trick as Mane and fellow Senegalese attacking star Nicholas Jackson were eliminated.

Balogun was then involved in another disallowed goal on the hour mark. He failed to control Weah’s dangerous cross, which was then gratefully buried by Malik Tillman, before Balogun was adjudged to have made a mistake as he rushed to recover the ball.

But two minutes later the British-raised Monaco man had his goal. McKennie split a through ball down the right for Weah and passed low to Balogun, who swept home for the first time after a deflection.

The US had plenty of chances to score a fourth, with McKennie hitting the post, Alex Zendejas seeing his one-on-one effort saved, and Weah and Balogun both blasting their efforts over the crossbar.

Published on June 1, 2026