The United States received a timely boost from its biggest star on Sunday as Christian Pulisic ended a lengthy scoring drought and helped lead the Americans to a 3-2 victory over Senegal in an international friendly that served as the team’s next-to-last warmup before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Pulisic recorded a goal and an assist, while Folarin Balogun netted the game-winner in the second half as the United States overcame two goals from Senegal captain Sadio Mané to secure the victory.
The Americans struck early and often in the opening half. Pulisic helped create the opening goal in the seventh minute, delivering the setup for Sergiño Dest, who finished to give the United States a 1-0 advantage.
Thirteen minutes later, Pulisic found the back of the net himself. Taking a pass from Ricardo Pepi, the AC Milan star took a touch, rounded Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw and calmly slotted the ball into an open net from a tight angle. The goal gave the United States a 2-0 lead and marked Pulisic’s first international goal since November 2024.
The strike also ended a difficult five-month stretch for the American captain. Pulisic had finished the club season with AC Milan without scoring in a career-high 19 consecutive matches dating back to Dec. 28 and had gone eight straight appearances without a goal for the United States.
The emotional significance of the moment was evident as Pulisic sprinted toward the corner flag, dropped to his knees and repeatedly pumped his fists in celebration.
It was the eighth time in his international career that Pulisic recorded both a goal and an assist in the same match. Among U.S. men’s national team players, only Landon Donovan has accomplished the feat more often, doing so 13 times.
Senegal responded before halftime through its all-time leading scorer. Following a giveaway by Antonee Robinson, Habib Diarra delivered a pass to Mané, who beat goalkeeper Matt Turner at the far post in the 44th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The United States made sweeping changes at halftime, introducing 10 new players, including goalkeeper Chris Brady, who made his international debut.
Senegal quickly took advantage of the new-look lineup. In the 52nd minute, Nicolas Jackson lifted the ball over the onrushing Brady, allowing Mané to tap home his second goal of the match and 54th international goal, extending his national team record and leveling the score at 2-2.
Balogun nearly restored the lead moments earlier when he had a goal disallowed for offside in the 49th minute. The striker eventually got his reward in the 63rd minute. Tim Weah sent a dangerous cross into the area that deflected off Moustapha Mbow and fell perfectly for Balogun, who finished for his ninth international goal and what proved to be the game-winner.
The victory provided another encouraging step for the Americans as they continue preparations for the World Cup on home soil. The United States, ranked 16th in the world, will face 10th-ranked Germany on June 6 in its final pre-tournament friendly before opening World Cup play against Paraguay six days later.
Senegal, ranked 14th, will play Saudi Arabia in a June 9 friendly before opening its World Cup campaign against France on June 16.
The match also featured several notable personnel developments for the United States. Matt Turner made just his second appearance for the national team since last June’s loss to Switzerland, while Gio Reyna earned his first start for club or country since Dec. 19.
With defender Chris Richards sidelined by an ankle injury, U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino deployed a three-center-back formation featuring Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie and captain Tim Ream. The American starting lineup averaged 44 international appearances, the team’s highest average since the October 2017 defeat at Trinidad and Tobago that ended the nation’s streak of seven consecutive World Cup appearances.
Most importantly for the United States, however, was the return of Pulisic’s scoring touch. With the World Cup now just days away, the Americans head into their final tuneup knowing their captain is once again finding his form at the perfect time.
