USMNT Edges Senegal 3-2 as Pulisic Breaks Scoring Drought

The United States Men's National Team secured a 3-2 victory over Senegal in a high-stakes international friendly on Sunday, marking a critical penultimate step in their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. The match was highlighted by a resurgence from star forward Christian Pulisic, who ended a frustrating five-month scoring drought. Pulisic played a pivotal role in the early stages, assisting Sergiño Dest’s seventh-minute opener before netting his own goal in the 20th minute to put the Americans up 2-0.

Despite the strong start, the U.S. defense faced significant pressure from Senegal’s Sadio Mané, who capitalized on two defensive lapses to equalize the score by the 52nd minute. The match remained competitive until Folarin Balogun, coming off the bench, broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with a decisive goal. The victory serves as a morale booster for the squad, particularly as they integrated new personnel, including goalkeeper Chris Brady, who made his international debut during a second-half rotation that saw 10 changes to the lineup.

This result is significant for the U.S. as they look to build momentum ahead of their final friendly against Germany on June 6. For Pulisic, the performance was a much-needed return to form after a difficult stretch with AC Milan, reinforcing his status as the team's primary offensive engine. As the World Cup approaches, the ability to maintain defensive discipline against elite attackers like Mané remains a key area for improvement, but the team's offensive depth and clinical finishing provide a positive outlook for their tournament campaign.