Christian Pulisic, the standout American soccer player, broke his five-month scoring drought by netting a goal and providing an assist in the United States’ 3-2 victory over Senegal. This match served as a crucial warmup for the upcoming World Cup.

Pulisic’s Impactful Performance

Pulisic, who had not scored for his club AC Milan or the national team since December 2024, made a significant impact early in the game. He assisted Sergiño Dest’s opening goal in the seventh minute and then scored himself in the 20th minute, rounding Senegal’s goalkeeper Mory Diaw to slot the ball into an open net. This marked his 33rd goal in 85 international appearances.

Despite Pulisic’s efforts, Senegal’s Sadio Mané capitalized on American defensive errors, scoring twice to level the match. Mané’s goals came after mistakes by Antonee Robinson and Nicolas Jackson, showcasing his prowess as Senegal’s all-time leading scorer with 54 international goals.

Second-Half Changes and Balogun’s Decisive Goal

The U.S. team made ten changes at halftime, including the introduction of goalkeeper Chris Brady, who was making his international debut. Folarin Balogun, another second-half substitute, initially had a goal disallowed for offside but later secured the win with a goal in the 63rd minute, assisted by Tim Weah’s deflected cross.

The match was part of the U.S. team’s preparations for the World Cup, with their next match scheduled against Germany on June 6. The American squad, averaging 44 international appearances, is gearing up for their tournament opener against Paraguay.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, the U.S. team gains momentum heading into the World Cup. The match also highlighted the depth of the squad, with several players making significant contributions. Senegal, ranked 14th, will face Saudi Arabia in a friendly before starting their World Cup campaign against France.

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.