Pulisic Ends Goal Drought as USMNT Beats Senegal 3-2 — World Cup Confidence Is Building
By World Soccer Wire Editorial
Christian Pulisic had a message for his critics Sunday night: stop talking about it.
The USMNT captain ended a five-month goal drought in style, scoring and assisting in the first half as the United States beat Senegal 3-2 in Charlotte in a chaotic but ultimately encouraging World Cup warm-up. Sergino Dest and Folarin Balogun also found the net, and while Sadio Mané gave the Americans a scare with a brace either side of halftime, Pochettino's side held on for a result that matters more than the scoreline suggests.
"I felt this confidence," Pulisic said after the game. "I've played really well in recent months too, but all people seem to care about is goals. So hopefully now people can stop talking about it."
Consider it done.
How It Unfolded
The US were cool and clinical in the opening minutes, moving the ball with patience before Pulisic unlocked things entirely. In the seventh minute, a clever touch from Ricardo Pepi between two defenders freed Pulisic for a run down the left. His low cross was perfectly weighted, and Dest arrived in stride for a simple finish at the near post.
Pulisic added his own name to the scoresheet in the 20th minute — his first international goal since 2024 — rounding goalkeeper Mory Diaw before tucking a composed angled shot into the net. His 33rd international goal, and the timing couldn't have been better.
Pochettino made 10 substitutions at halftime, and Senegal pounced. Sadio Mané — still dangerous at 34 — pulled one back almost immediately, then leveled again to make it 2-2 and give the second-half side a genuine test. Balogun answered in the 63rd minute with the winner, restoring order and giving the United States the result that heads into the record books.
What It Means for the World Cup
The Senegal result matters for two reasons. First, the obvious one: Pulisic's form. He has been the USMNT's most important attacking player for years, and his goal drought had become an irritating storyline heading into the tournament. That noise is now gone. A goal, an assist, a commanding first-half display — Pochettino will sleep easier knowing his captain arrived in Charlotte with something to prove and delivered.
Second, the system looks right. The US outshot Senegal 15-7 and created multiple chances that weren't taken. That's the kind of dominance you want to see heading into a tournament opener. Ricardo Pepi had one of his strongest performances in an American shirt. Alex Freeman, on his first start, looked sharp. The depth is real.
One concern: the second-half collapse. Mané exposed a reshuffled backline twice in quick succession, and goalkeeper Chris Brady had a difficult debut. Pochettino won't be making 10 changes against Paraguay on June 12.
Next Up: Germany on Saturday
The USMNT has one more warm-up before the World Cup begins — a sold-out clash against Germany in Chicago on Saturday. Four-time world champions, ranked in the top 10 globally. If Pulisic and the first-choice lineup can perform against that opposition the way they performed against Senegal on Sunday, the mood heading into the Paraguay opener will be very good indeed.
Nine days to go. The captain is back scoring. The World Cup is almost here.
The USMNT faces Germany on Saturday in Chicago before opening World Cup 2026 against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Watch on FOX and Fubo.