Pulisic Lifts US to 3-2 Win Over Senegal as World Cup Questions Persist

18 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 31

Christian Pulisic ended a nearly six-month goal drought, adding an assist as the United States beat Senegal 3-2 in Charlotte in its first World Cup send-off match.
A 10-pass move finished by Sergiño Dest and Pulisic’s 19th-minute strike put the US up 2-0, before Folarin Balogun restored the lead in the 62nd minute.
Sadio Mané scored twice off US defensive errors, exposing the same game-management problems that hurt Mauricio Pochettino’s side in March losses to Portugal and Belgium.
57,741 watched a sharper US display than those March friendlies, but the goalkeeper picture stayed unsettled after Matt Turner started and Brady struggled after halftime.
The win gives the US a needed confidence boost before a June 6 friendly against Germany and a home-soil World Cup that has already intensified scrutiny on Pochettino.

Can the USMNT's MLS-based goalkeepers prove they can handle an elite World Cup-level attack?

As Senegal's 'golden generation' seeks a final triumph, can the US prove it belongs among the world's elite?

With star Christian Pulisic in a major goal drought, who will step up to lead the American attack?