Christian Pulisic's six-month goal drought snapped in the first half Sunday as the United States dismantled Senegal 3-2 in Charlotte, North Carolina, delivering a much-needed jolt ahead of this summer's World Cup.
Pulisic, widely considered the team's most crucial attacking weapon, set up the opening goal and scored himself as the US controlled most of the match in front of 57,741 fans. The performance marked a sharp turnaround from March's dismal pair of friendlies against Portugal and Belgium, games that left plenty of doubt about the program's readiness for a tournament on home soil.
Sergiño Dest opened the scoring just seven minutes in off a beautiful 10-pass sequence capped by Pulisic's pinpoint cross. The sequence showcased the type of fluid attacking soccer the US had failed to produce in recent windows. Pulisic's own goal followed in the 19th minute when PSV forward Ricardo Pepi threaded a through ball and Pulisic's deft first touch and angled finish put the Americans up 2-0.
The assist represented Pulisic's first international goal contribution since September, when he set up a goal in a 2-0 friendly win over Japan. The Milan midfielder's resurgence matters enormously to head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has faced mounting questions about the team's readiness entering the tournament.
Despite the dominant first-half display, the US's familiar defensive vulnerabilities surfaced throughout. Senegal's Sadio Mané capitalized on an errant pass from Antonee Robinson just before halftime, then equalized in the second half off a poor back pass from Miles Robinson after goalkeeper Brady took over for the restart.
The second-half concession continued a troubling pattern. The US have repeatedly surrendered goals within minutes of the halftime whistle in recent friendlies, a mental lapse that concerns Pochettino as the team prepares for stakes considerably higher than a send-off match.
Folarin Balogun sealed the victory in the 62nd minute, finishing after Weston McKennie's press up the field created a turnover. The goal provided breathing room after Senegal's spirited comeback bid.
Pochettino used the match to audition pieces for the final roster and test combinations. Midfielder Gio Reyna made his first start since November after returning from injury. Goalkeeper Matt Turner started, one of several candidates still competing for the starting job alongside Matt Freese and Brady. Turner's solid performance in the first half contrasted with Brady's shaky second-half appearance, which did little to clarify an increasingly murky pecking order.
Ricardo Pepi impressed during his 45-minute run, distributing the ball well and creating space for teammates. The PSV forward's form offers another reason for optimism in an attacking corps that has sputtered inconsistently.
Senegal arrived as arguably Africa's strongest squad, fresh off convincing March wins over Gambia and Peru. The team captured the 2025 African Cup of Nations before being stripped of the title in a controversial decision, and they bring World Cup experience from three previous tournaments.
Send-off matches rarely predict World Cup outcomes. The US demolished Venezuela and Latvia in 2006 before flopping in group play. Conversely, a lackluster friendly against the Netherlands preceded their best modern World Cup run in 2002. The US have never lost both send-off matches before a World Cup, however, and Sunday's result ensures that streak continues.
The US close their preparations June 6 in Chicago against Germany, offering one final chance to address defensive patterns and build chemistry before the tournament begins.
Author James Rodriguez: "Pulisic's return matters far more than one warm-up result, but this is exactly the kind of confident attacking display the US needed to believe in themselves heading into summer."
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