/images/ppid_59c68470-image-178003252660183494.webp)
Folarin Balogun hit a late winner as the United States edged Senegal 3-2 in a breathless World Cup warm-up at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The penultimate friendly before the tournament featured two disallowed goals, wild swings in momentum and a frantic second half packed with incident.
The match also eased concerns around Christian Pulisic before the World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12. Pulisic had gone seven United States appearances without scoring since November 2024 and endured 17 Serie A games without a goal for AC Milan, but produced both a goal and an assist here.
Mauricio Pochettino named a strong starting side, and the United States imposed control from the opening minutes. Sergino Dest struck after seven minutes,
finishing into an unguarded net after Ricardo Pepi released Christian Pulisic down the left, with Pulisic delivering a measured cut-back for the advancing full-back.
Pulisic doubled the advantage in the 20th minute, rounding goalkeeper Mory Diaw after another incisive move involving Pepi. Senegal responded just before half-time, with Mamadou Sarr producing a vital block to deny a likely third goal for the United States before Sadio Mane swept in to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Pochettino made 10 changes at the interval, yet the United States did not lose intensity, and the USA vs Senegal friendly became increasingly open. Balogun, introduced at half-time, had a neat finish ruled out for offside, then Mane forced the ball over the line for Senegal’s equaliser after Nicolas Jackson lifted it past Chris Brady.
The United States thought they had regained the lead on 62 minutes when Malik Tillman scored, but the effort was cancelled out for a foul by Balogun. Almost straight after that setback, Balogun turned sharply inside the area and finished clinically to restore a 3-2 advantage for the United States.
Key numbers underline attacking edge in USA vs Senegal friendly
Balogun, Cristian Roldan and Weston McKennie all missed further chances as the United States pressed for a fourth goal in the USA vs Senegal friendly, yet the earlier work proved enough. Pochettino’s team recorded 15 shots and 2.7 expected goals, while Senegal managed seven attempts and 1.74 expected goals across a wide-open contest.
| Team | Shots | Expected Goals (xG) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 15 | 2.7 |
| Senegal | 7 | 1.74 |
Pulisic delivered a goal and an assist in the same match for the United States for the eighth time, with only Landon Donovan, on 13 such games since 1995, achieving that more often. The United States now move towards a friendly against Germany next Saturday with renewed belief in the attack.
BALOGUN. BUZZING. pic.twitter.com/qpFV9KSWL9U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) May 31, 2026
