The United States men’s national soccer team opened its final pre-World Cup friendly window with a 3-2 victory over Senegal on Saturday, holding off a determined second-half comeback by the African champions to secure a decisive tuneup ahead of the tournament in June.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino deployed a starting XI that mixed established veterans with younger prospects, evaluating the roster’s readiness for the co-host World Cup schedule. The US opens its group campaign on June 6 against Germany in Chicago.
Christian Pulisic controlled the early tempo for the United States, scoring the first goal and setting up a second in the opening 30 minutes. Pulisic’s involvement provided a critical confidence boost for the attacking unit, which had been refining its combination play throughout the spring training camp.
Senegal adjusted its shape at halftime and pressed higher up the pitch, pulling one goal back through a quick transition before converting a set piece to level the match at 2-2 in the 65th minute. The West African side’s surge tested the US defensive line and forced Pochettino to substitute fresh legs into midfield to regain control.
The United States stabilized the match in the final quarter-hour. A defensive header cleared a late cross, and the US goalkeeper made two routine saves to secure the final score. The result leaves the US with a winning record across its May friendlies, providing a tangible metric of progress as the team transitions from camp preparation to official tournament duties.
Senegal, which has consistently ranked among the top African qualifiers in recent World Cups, used the fixture as preparation for its own group-stage matchups. The match featured a physical midfield battle and multiple tactical shifts from both benches, typical of high-stakes international tuneups.
Pulisic addressed the media after the match, emphasizing the squad’s focus on execution rather than the final scoreline. “The goal is to build our shape and understand the spaces we’ll face in June,” he said. “A close game like this exposes where we need to tighten up, and that’s exactly what we needed.”
The US will play one additional friendly before arriving in Chicago for the opening ceremony. The coaching staff will use the intervening days to finalize the 23-man tournament roster, with several fringe players competing for the final squad slots based on recent performances.
Match statistics showed the United States maintaining slight possession advantages and generating a higher volume of shots on target. Senegal’s second-half pressure disrupted the US build-up play temporarily, but the American back line recovered to limit chances in the final 20 minutes of regulation.
Pochettino noted that the team’s defensive communication improved over the course of the match. “We started slow, but the adjustments at the break paid off,” he said. “The players managed the game well when it got physical, which is exactly the standard we need against top-tier opposition.”
The victory moves the US into the final phase of World Cup preparation with momentum. The team will travel to its host city next week for logistical briefings and stadium walk-throughs before the opening kickoff on June 6.