The United States earned a 3-2 victory over Senegal on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, getting goals from Sergiño Dest, Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun in its penultimate match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Pulisic set up Dest's seventh-minute opener and doubled the lead himself in the 20th minute, while Senegal captain Sadio Mané scored twice to keep the visitors level before Balogun netted the winner in the 61st minute.
The Americans delivered one of their strongest attacking performances under Mauricio Pochettino, bouncing back from March losses to Portugal and Belgium. Balogun appeared to score early in the second half, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Senegal capitalized on a U.S. defensive mistake moments later as Mané grabbed his second goal to make it 2-2. Balogun responded shortly after, finishing Tim Weah's cross for the decisive goal.
Pulisic was the standout performer, ending a lengthy international scoring drought while contributing a goal and an assist. The result provided a needed boost for a U.S. side still working through defensive concerns ahead of the World Cup, with Mané's two goals exposing vulnerabilities in the back line despite the positive attacking display.
The United States concludes its World Cup preparations against Germany on June 6 before opening Group D play against Paraguay on June 12. Senegal will begin its World Cup campaign on June 16 against France before facing Iraq and Norway in Group I.
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