CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The U.S. Men’s National Team needed everything it had Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium. Christian Pulisic etched his name deeper into the record books, Folarin Balogun delivered the decisive blow, and the Americans held on to defeat Senegal 3-2 in front of 57,741 fans in the penultimate warm-up before FIFA World Cup 2026.
It was the first-ever meeting between the two nations, and it did not disappoint. Sadio Mane answered every punch the U.S. threw, finishing with two goals and keeping the Lions of Teranga in the fight until the final whistle. But this was the USMNT’s day, and it arrived just the way head coach Mauricio Pochettino would have drawn it up: with Pulisic at the center of the action and a young striker rising to the occasion.
Pulisic and Pepi Put the U.S. in Control
The Americans wasted no time pressing their advantage. With Senegal still finding its footing, Ricardo Pepi broke free of pressure and slipped the ball to Pulisic, who immediately spotted Sergino Dest making a diagonal run. Pulisic’s low cross was perfectly placed, and Dest buried it from six yards out in the seventh minute for his third career international goal.
The connection worked again in the 20th minute. Fullback Alex Freeman played Pepi in behind Senegal’s defensive line, and Pepi’s pass across the box found Pulisic on the run. One deft touch with the outside of his foot to round the goalkeeper, and Pulisic slotted home calmly for his 33rd international goal. It was also his 20th career assist, making him just the fourth player in USMNT history to reach that milestone, joining Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, and Cobi Jones.
That combination of contributions moved Pulisic to 52 career goal contributions for the national team, passing Eric Wynalda into sole possession of fourth on the all-time list.
Mané Gets Senegal Back Into It
The U.S. held the upper hand for most of the first half, outshooting Senegal 15-7 on the day and doubling their opponent’s pass totals in the opening minutes. But Senegal had Mané, and that was enough to keep things uncomfortable.
Habib Diarra threaded a through ball for the two-time African Player of the Year in the 44th minute, and Mane squeezed a low shot into the left-side netting to make it 2-1 at the break.
Pochettino responded at halftime by sending on ten substitutes, with only Sebastian Berhalter remaining from the first-half lineup. Among the changes: a milestone moment for 22-year-old goalkeeper Chris Brady of Naperville, Illinois, who earned his first cap for the USMNT, becoming the 889th player in program history to do so.
Mane found the equalizer in the 52nd minute, pouncing on a turnover in the attacking third and lifting a composed finish over the onrushing Brady. The USA 2, SEN 2 scoreline set up a tense second half.
Balogun Settles It
The USMNT had goals disallowed for Balogun (offside, 52nd minute) and Malik Tillman (foul, 61st minute) in the second half before the real thing finally arrived.
In the 63rd minute, Weston McKennie played Tim Weah down the right channel, and Weah’s long cross into the box deflected off a Senegal defender directly to Balogun. The striker went against the grain, sending a composed right-footed finish into the left corner of the net from the top of the six-yard box. The ninth goal of his international career, and the one that mattered most.
Weston McKennie nearly added a fourth in the 75th minute, clanging a shot off the post, and Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw blocked the rebound from Balogun. From there, the Americans dug in and secured the hard-fought three-goal ledger as chants of U-S-A rang through Bank of America Stadium.
What Comes Next
The USMNT closes its pre-tournament schedule on Saturday, June 6 against four-time World Cup champion Germany at sold-out Soldier Field in Chicago. The team then heads west to prepare for its opening group stage match against Paraguay on June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium.
If Sunday’s performance against a quality Senegal side is any preview, the Americans arrive at their home World Cup with plenty of reason for optimism, and with Pulisic writing new chapters of history with every match.