The United States Men’s National Team faced Senegal in a friendly warm‑up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meeting at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The match ended in a 2‑2 draw, with Christian Pulisic and Sergino Dest finding the back of the net for the Americans, while Sadio Mane accounted for both Senegalese goals.
A Test of Line‑ups and Momentum
Coach Mauricio Pochettino made several changes to the starting eleven, giving minutes to players such as Ricardo Pepi, who set up both U.S. goals, and experimenting with a new defensive shape.
Pulisic, who had gone 1,133 minutes without a goal, broke his drought with a well‑taken strike, while Dest added his own contribution before halftime.
The game was televised across several platforms, including TBS, HBO Max, Universo and Peacock, ensuring broad exposure for the squads ahead of the tournament.
Looking Ahead to the Group Stage
The United States will next test its mettle against Germany on Saturday, June 12, 2026, in Chicago, before confronting Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in the group phase.
Senegal enters the tournament as the 14th‑ranked side in the world, and the draw highlighted both teams’ readiness to fine‑tune strategies, especially in limiting turnovers in defensive zones.
With the World Cup just months away, the U.S. will continue to adjust its tactical approach, aiming to curb mistakes and build cohesion ahead of the high‑stakes matches.