U.S. beats Senegal 3-2 in World Cup warmup

The U.S. men’s national soccer team opened its 2026 World Cup warm-up campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Senegal on Sunday, overcoming a second-half deficit to show the depth and resilience of its young squad. Christian Pulisic ended a lengthy scoring drought with a goal and an assist, while Folarin Balogun came off the bench to seal the win — but not before Senegal clawed back twice in a scrappy, back-and-forth match at SoFi Stadium.

The U.S. struck early when Sergiño Dest pounced on a Pulisic cutback to fire home the opener in the 15th minute. Pulisic doubled the lead just five minutes later, rounding Senegal’s keeper and slotting home from a tight angle after a quick counterattack. But Sadio Mané pulled one back for Senegal just before halftime, setting the stage for a frantic second half. Almost the entire U.S. lineup was changed at the break, except for starting goalkeeper Matt Freese, who stayed on and made a crucial stop late. Senegal equalized again in the 52nd minute, leaving the U.S. needing a response.

Enter Folarin Balogun. The young striker, who hadn’t started due to competition for minutes, came on after the hour mark and turned the game in the 63rd minute with a composed finish to restore the U.S. lead. Though Senegal nearly equalized again late, the U.S. held on to claim the victory. The match wasn’t a polished performance, but it showcased the squad’s talent, adaptability, and depth — all vital traits ahead of the 2026 tournament.

What matters most here isn’t just the result, but how the game exposed both strengths and areas for growth. Pulisic’s return to scoring form and Balogun’s impact off the bench signal healthy competition up front. Meanwhile, the defensive lapses against Mané highlight the need for sharper concentration, especially against top-tier opponents. For a team rebuilding after a disappointing 2022 World Cup, Sunday’s game was a reminder: progress isn’t always pretty, but it’s real.