Win Over 14th-Ranked Senegal Gives USMNT Confidence | OneFootball

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino was happy with his team’s latest result, a 3-2 win over Senegal at Bank of America Stadium, and while the manager sees areas where his team can improve, the performance on Sunday showed the right commitment and attitude to see that progress through.

“I’m happy to finish the first week in training and compete against a really good team like Senegal,” Pochettino said. “Yes, always it's better to win. Today is not an official game and doesn't count the point, but it's important to get good feelings. We are still a little bit short in our preparation, but we are moving in a good direction.”

The most recent addition to Pochettino’s collection of 14 wins at the helm of the USMNT came against the 14th-ranked team in the world. It was USA’s second win against an opponent ranked in the top-15 under his leadership; the first was November’s 5-1 rout over Uruguay in Tampa, Fla.

Like many of the USMNT’s opponents over the past several months, Senegal entered the matchup highly ranked, World Cup-qualified and in good form. The Lions of Teranga won six of their last seven matches and reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal secured a berth in FIFA World Cup 2026 by finishing at the top of Group B in the CAF qualifiers and will be competing in sport's biggest tournament for the fourth time in history.

Though Sunday’s matchup wasn’t part of an official competition, the quality of the opponent presented the opportunity to put Pochettino's 26-player roster to the test with the World Cup two weeks away.

“It gives confidence to the group,” center back Mark McKenzie said. “There are things we obviously want to continue to improve and fine tune. Nonetheless, to play against a strong Senegal team and get a win is definitely something that we look to build on and give us a solid foundation going into this summer.”

The USMNT started the match against Senegal on a strong note, dominating possession with sharp passes and chances in the attacking third. The hosts scored the opening goal early in the seventh minute following a beautiful sequence that traveled from fullback Antonee Robinson to forward Ricardo Pepi to forward Christian Pulisic and finished with fullback Sergiño Dest’s third career international goal.

After scoring early, the USMNT didn’t let up on the gas. Thirteen minutes later, Pepi located Pulisic and the forward deftly cut to set up a strike and score his 33rd international goal. Pulisic’s finish gave the U.S. a two-goal lead 20 minutes into the competitive meeting.

“We wanted to come in with a lot of energy,” captain Tim Ream said. “We wanted to set the tone for what the summer could be for us. Overall, I thought we did.”

“I think we needed this,” Dest said. “It’s really important that we win the friendlies because that gives everybody a better feeling going into the World Cup.”

In less than one week, the USMNT will face another strong opponent, four-time FIFA World Cup winners and 10th-ranked Germany. The Germans pose a similar test to Senegal – both are World Cup contenders and top teams in their respective regions. Germany finished fourth in the UEFA Nations League and went 5W-1L-0D in European Qualifiers to top Group A and earn their spot in the tournament.

The two countries face off Saturday, June 6 at Soldier Field in Chicago in what will be the final non-official match before FIFA World Cup 2026. But no matter who the next opponent would be, a former World Cup champion or not, Pochettino and his squad are focused on themselves – staying committed and having the right attitude.

“For us, the focus will now be going into Germany, and the preparation, and what that looks like, but it's just good to get everyone to get everyone a run-up,” midfielder Tyler Adams said.

“It gives us confidence we need to go into that Germany game and after that start to think about the World Cup,” midfielder Alex Zendejas said.