ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the USMNT and its 3-2 win over Senegal in its first tune-up pleasant forward of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
Might 31, 2026
8:25 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
THE UNITED STATES nationwide staff defeated Senegal 3-2 on Sunday afternoon in Charlotte, NC as a part of its first tune-up pleasant forward of the 2026 World Cup. It was a efficiency that was each encouraging and regarding whereas on the identical time being helpful for head coach Mauricio Pochettino in his remaining preparations forward of the staff’s opening sport in opposition to Paraguay.
Since Pochettino unveiled his World Cup roster final week, the large speak was about formations and the way the U.S. staff may play tactically on the World Cup. We noticed the staff succeed in the course of the fall friendlies in 2025 enjoying with variations of a three-man backline that shifted relying on whether or not the U.S. staff was in possession.
The March friendlies, nevertheless, noticed the staff revert principally to a four-man backline and endure ugly losses to Belgium and Portugal. However when Pochettino named 11 defenders (together with Tim Weah, who performs for granted again for Marseille) to the World Cup roster, the indication is that he wished tactical flexibility, which generally begins within the backline.
Unsurprisingly, Pochettino went with a 3-4-3 formation in possession which extra resembled how the staff performed within the fall. The U.S. staff got here out in implausible kind grabbing a 2-0 lead by the twentieth minute with targets from Sergino Dest and Christian Pulisic. For Pulisic, it was his first objective for membership or nation since December.
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) Might 31, 2026
Then simply earlier than halftime, Sadio Mané pulled Senegal again inside one when he was performed into the field by Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra and beat goalkeeper Matt Turner with a low shot.
After halftime, Pochettino made 10 adjustments with solely Sebastian Berhalter remaining. Within the fifty fifth minute Mané equalized after a horrible error by Miles Robinson performed goalkeeper Chris Brady into a nasty spot. An errant ball bounced over Brady’s head and Mané simply completed.
The U.S. staff moved again in entrance for good within the 63rd minute when Weston McKennie and Tim Weah mixed within the midfield earlier than sending the ball into the field the place it discovered Folarin Balogun. The Monaco ahead then completed with a right-footed shot into the left facet of the objective.
Now the U.S. staff will look to its second pleasant in opposition to Germany on Saturday evening.
Listed below are some detailed ideas.
Pulisic’s efficiency and objective had been huge
With out query, the highest story for the U.S. staff heading into this World Cup has been the type of Christian Pulisic. He’s the highest participant on the staff, however everybody is aware of he has had a brutal first half 2026. He has not scored for membership or nation for the reason that begin of the yr. For all the speak about who’s on the roster and who isn’t, it’s all meaningless except Pulisic is enjoying nicely. The underside line is that the event will likely be very brief for america if Pulisic is unable to supply targets.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) Might 31, 2026
Pulisic ended his drought within the twentieth minute, however the objective solely instructed a part of the story. For the rest of the primary half he was the perfect participant on the sector and he was a handful for Senegal to defend. The US groups group stage opponents, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey, had been in fact watching this and are actually going to have to regulate their groups to an in-form Pulisic.
“I have played really well in recent months, but all everyone seems to care about is goals,” Pulisic instructed the media after the sport. “Hopefully we can stop talking about it. We’ve got big games ahead and I’ve got to be ready.”
After all, this efficiency was removed from good and Pochettino has to scrub up a variety of mistake-prone choice making. However one in all his large worries was put to relaxation within the first half of this sport.
— U.S. Soccer Males’s Nationwide Group (@USMNT) Might 31, 2026
“The performance of Christian was really, really good,” Pochettino stated afterward. “I believe he nonetheless has potential to enhance, however my factor is, that is the best way he’s been coaching from Day 1. I felt it was what he wanted. And the way he performed in these 45 minutes was the behavior that he created within the final week, every single day coaching with this perspective, with this dedication, with this power.
“Scoring is important for a player preparing for the World Cup. I’m so happy for him.”
Pepi and Balogun
One of many areas on the staff that was the topic of no debate had been the staff’s strikers. Each Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun had nice seasons together with a number of Champions League targets from every participant. However how would Pochettino use every participant? Who would begin?
Pepi Earned the beginning on this sport and was terrific. He didn’t rating, however he was instrumental to the build-up of the primary objective after which he assisted on the second objective to Pulisic. However what stood out was his motion and talent to mix with Pulisic, Dest, and Gio Reyna. He was efficient in holding the ball-up on the primary objective to play Pulisic right into a harmful spot to arrange Dest. Then on the second objective, his motion in transition was glorious.
When Balogun got here into the sport within the second half, he was additionally glorious. He had one objective known as again for being offside after which minutes later he scored the profitable objective. He additionally was a part of one other disallowed objective from Malik Tillman.
The U.S. staff may very nicely have had 5 targets within the sport because of its two forwards.
— U.S. Soccer Males’s Nationwide Group (@USMNT) Might 31, 2026
It raises the query over which in-form striker suits finest with the U.S. nationwide staff? It’s a selection that Pochettino should make as a result of it appears unlikely that the staff is ready for a option to play with each on the sector on the identical time.
The reply may very well be that it will depend on the opponent. Pepi and Balogun have very completely different profiles. Balogun thrives on getting behind the opposing backline and making elite runs. However his success will depend on having gamers who can cross nicely to get him the ball. But when he has house and if he has a gap, he’s deadly.
Pepi will sometimes get on the ball greater than Balogun and mix along with his teammates extra. He’s additionally extra of an aerial menace than Balogun. He seemingly has extra instruments and extra methods he can rating. If an opponent is pinned again or isn’t offering a variety of house to function, Pepi has a bonus. If the U.S. staff is seeking to make runs and counter, Balogun may very well be extra of a menace.
It’s a superb set of selections for Pochettino to have as he seems to be to seek out methods to matchup in opposition to opponents.
High Lineup & Formation
These tune up friendlies are sometimes difficult for managers. They wish to put together their groups for the World Cup, however they don’t wish to reveal an excessive amount of for his or her opponents who’re all watching.
A lot of the beginning lineup are seemingly starters in opposition to Paraguay. Pulisic, Dest, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, and Tyler Adams are nearly sure to be fixtures in Pochettino’s XI. The injured Richards is a starter relying on his well being.
Among the many second half substitutes, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Malik Tillman are sturdy candidates together with Balogun.
But it surely additionally comes right down to formation. For the second time inside a yr, a change to a 3-4-3 introduced the staff out of a hunch (simply because it did final September following a loss to South Korea).
However an enormous cause why the staff suits nicely into the 3-4-3 is Alex Freeman who can keep again whereas additionally sometimes with the ability to get into the again. His elite athleticism permits him to suit right into a twin position for granted again in protection and a proper middle again in possession. Joe Scally performed the position within the second half and did nicely, however it’s simple to see Pochettino preferring Freeman.
The issue of errors
The U.S. staff made a variety of errors on this sport and it was fortunate that the staff solely conceded two targets to a proficient Senegal staff. On the World Cup, the same efficiency may very well be far costlier.
Hear from Mauricio Pochettino following our 3-2 victory over Senegal.
???? https://t.co/nlpINeSpg8 pic.twitter.com/JKBV18c8Tz
— U.S. Soccer Males’s Nationwide Group (@USMNT) Might 31, 2026
Antonee Robinson gave the ball away on the play that resulted in Senegal’s first objective. The second objective was very, very ugly from Miles Robinson and Brady. However there have been loads of different errors that might have and may have resulted in at the least yet another Senegal objective. Most midfielders had been chargeable for at the least one unhealthy giveaway over the course of the 90 minutes.
Finally, Pochettino should hope that the staff turns into cleaner and extra cautious with the ball as they proceed to coach for one more 12 days earlier than the World Cup opener.
