The United States claimed an entertaining 3-2 victory over Senegal in an international friendly held in Charlotte on Sunday, as both teams continued their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The hosts made a flying start, taking the lead in the sixth minute through Sergiño Dest. The Americans doubled their advantage in the 19th minute when captain Christian Pulisic found the back of the net, giving the home side a commanding position before halftime.
Senegal fought back through star forward Sadio Mané, who scored just before the break in the 44th minute and added a second goal in the 52nd minute to level the contest. However, the United States regained control when Folarin Balogun struck in the 62nd minute to seal a hard-fought victory.
The match provided both coaches with a valuable opportunity to assess their squads ahead of the World Cup. The United States relied on key players including Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna, and Tyler Adams, while Senegal's attack was led by Mané alongside Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye.
The Americans continue their World Cup preparations in Group D, where they will face Australia, Paraguay, and Türkiye. Senegal, meanwhile, have been drawn into Group I alongside France, Iraq, and Norway.
With the World Cup fast approaching, the encounter served as an important test for both nations as they look to fine-tune their squads and tactics before the tournament kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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