Two Different Attacks Over Two Halves

Pochettino Made Wholesale Changes at Halftime, Giving Two Different Looks in Attack

The first half against Senegal offered a glimpse of what the United States could be at its absolute best. Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi built an almost instant chemistry, combining twice in the opening 20 minutes to put the US firmly in control. Pepi's movement pulled the Senegalese defense apart, creating the space that led to Sergiño Dest's opener—a goal that capped a remarkable 20-plus pass sequence involving every outfield player. Minutes later, Pepi sprung Pulisic again in behind, and the AC Milan man did the rest, rounding the goalkeeper to double the lead. Gio Reyna, making his first start since December, nearly got in on the act early but couldn't convert a low Pulisic cross that begged to be finished.

Then came halftime, and 10 new players, which included an entirely different attacking unit.

Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun brought a different kind of energy to the second half, one built on pressing, physicality and direct running. Balogun had the ball in the net twice, though one was ruled out for offside. Tillman had another called back after a Balogun "foul" in the build-up. When Balogun finally got one to stick in the 63rd minute, deflecting in off a Weah cross, it sealed a victory that felt thoroughly deserved.

What Sunday demonstrated more than anything is the kind of attacking depth this US squad possesses, something genuinely unprecedented for this program. Nine players, including Alejandro Zendejas, rotated through dangerous positions, and each looked capable of influencing a World Cup match. Any of them could realistically start the June 12 opener against Paraguay.

"We all know what we like. We know the qualities each of us have," McKennie said of the second-half group.

For Pochettino, that is an enviable problem to have, and for opponents, a genuinely unsettling one.

Pulisic Shines in the Victory

Winger Provided an Assist on the Opener Before Scoring One of His Own in the Win Over Senegal

For months, the narrative surrounding Christian Pulisic had become almost impossible to escape. America's best player hadn't scored for club or country since late December, a drought that stretched across 22 games and consumed nearly every conversation about the US men's national team heading into a home World Cup. The questions were relentless. The scrutiny was exhausting.

Pulisic, to his credit, never stopped believing. "I've felt this confidence," he said after Sunday's match. "I've played really well in recent months, too, but all people seem to care about is goals. So hopefully now people can stop talking about it."

They can. At least for now.

Against Senegal in Charlotte, the 27-year-old looked every bit the player who tore through Serie A in the fall, constantly probing, pulling defenders out of position and arriving in dangerous areas. His connection with Ricardo Pepi was the story of the first half, the two combining for both goals in a 20-minute stretch that reminded onlookers just how good this team can be when Pulisic is at his best. He set up Sergiño Dest's opener with a perfectly weighted cross, then calmly rounded goalkeeper Mory Diaw to slot home his 33rd international goal. When he dropped to his knees at the corner flag, fists pumping, the relief was written all over him.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino, who had publicly declared earlier in the week that Pulisic would score at the World Cup, pointed to the work his star put in during training as the foundation for what unfolded.

With Germany next Saturday and Paraguay in the World Cup opener on June 12, the timing could not be better. A player who carries the ceiling of an entire program finally looks like himself again, and that should worry everyone else.

Strong U.S. Beat Senegal

An Early Pair of Goals Sets the Tone in a Friendly Victory Before the World Cup

The United States men's national team picked up a confidence-boosting 3-2 victory over Senegal on Sunday in Charlotte, with Christian Pulisic delivering a standout performance that fans and coaches had been waiting months to see.

Pulisic had gone without a goal for club or country since late December, a drought spanning 22 games, but the AC Milan winger emphatically ended that run in front of nearly 58,000 fans. He set up Sergiño Dest's opener in just the seventh minute with a perfectly weighted cross, capping a slick team move, and then added a goal of his own in the 20th. Taking a through ball from Ricardo Pepi, Pulisic used a deft first touch to beat goalkeeper Mory Diaw before slotting home from a tight angle. The celebration—a sprint to the corner flag and a drop to his knees—said everything about what the moment meant. It was his 33rd international goal in 85 appearances, and the eighth time he has contributed both a goal and an assist in a single US match, a feat only Landon Donovan has surpassed in program history.

Senegal, no pushover, rallied through Sadio Mané, who scored on either side of halftime to bring the visitors level, with both goals stemming from avoidable American defensive errors that will concern coach Mauricio Pochettino heading into the World Cup. The go-ahead goal came in the 63rd minute from Folarin Balogun, who turned a deflected Tim Weah cross into the net to seal the win.

The result snapped a run of back-to-back losses from the March friendlies and gave the US real momentum heading into their final warmup, a June 6 clash against Germany in Chicago, before the tournament kicks off against Paraguay on June 12.

First Send-Off Friendly

USMNT Ready to Test Themselves Against Senegal in World Cup Dress Rehearsal

The countdown to the World Cup is almost over, and Sunday's friendly against Senegal in Charlotte represents the first real opportunity for Mauricio Pochettino's squad to show what this group is capable of ahead of the June 12 opener against Paraguay.

The match at Bank of America Stadium (3:30 p.m. ET, TBS) kicks off just under two weeks before group play begins, giving Pochettino valuable time to sharpen his tactical approach before a second tuneup against Germany in Chicago on June 6. With the roster finalized and the squad settled in at the new national training center outside Atlanta, the focus has shifted entirely toward execution.

The Americans enter the friendly with questions still swirling. A difficult March window that produced losses to Belgium and Portugal raised eyebrows, and the concerns about midfield depth that followed Pochettino's roster decisions remain unresolved on paper. Pochettino has hinted at a more possession-oriented system, saying "if we play with one holding midfielder, it's enough," suggesting Tyler Adams could anchor the middle with more attack-minded players around him.

Adams himself returns to the squad after an injury-disrupted club season, though he finished the year strongly with AFC Bournemouth. The captaincy question also lingers, with Tim Ream the likely choice to wear the armband again, though teammates like Weston McKennie have downplayed the significance. "The captaincy band is honestly just a symbol of who the referee talks to," McKennie said.

Senegal, ranked 14th in the world and two spots ahead of the U.S., offers a genuine challenge. Their ability to control possession and create chances through dangerous wingers like Ismaila Sarr and Sadio Mané will test a defense still awaiting the return of injured center back Chris Richards.

For this generation, the World Cup moment has nearly arrived.

Richards on the Bench for Conference Final

Defender Wins European Trophy, Eyes World Cup Return

Chris Richards capped a dramatic week by collecting a winner's medal as Crystal Palace claimed the UEFA Conference League title on Wednesday, defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Leipzig, though the American center back watched the entire match from the bench as Palace's medical staff deemed him not yet ready to feature.

The 26-year-old had suffered two torn ligaments in his left ankle during Palace's Premier League draw with Brentford on May 17, sparking immediate concern about his availability for the World Cup. He was subsequently left out of Palace's final league match and was the only member of Pochettino's 26-man squad absent from Tuesday's roster reveal in New York, instead submitting a video message from London.

His appearance on the bench in Leipzig, however, offered an encouraging sign. Palace manager Oliver Glasner had set a clear standard heading into the final, saying neither Richards nor midfielder Adam Wharton would play unless fully fit following late fitness tests. Wharton started, while Richards was held back, but simply being dressed for a European final suggested meaningful progress.

Richards is now expected to link up with the USMNT at the national training center in Georgia later this week. Pochettino, for his part, has remained measured in his assessment. "We don't know. We'll see tomorrow if he plays, and then we will decide," the coach said Tuesday. "We have time before the World Cup to make changes if needed."

That flexibility matters because Richards is widely considered Pochettino's most important defensive piece. He missed the 2022 World Cup with a hamstring injury and has waited years for this opportunity on home soil. With the U.S. opener against Paraguay set for June 12 in Los Angeles, the timeline for a full return remains tight, but very much alive.

Senegal Ready for the U.S.

A Golden Generation's Last World Cup Dance

When the USMNT takes the field Sunday in Charlotte against Senegal, they won't be facing just any warm-up opponent. The Lions of Teranga arrive in North America as one of Africa's most dangerous sides, and one with serious ambitions for this summer's tournament.

Coach Pape Thiaw has made no attempt to hide those aspirations. "If, even for a second, I doubted that I could win the World Cup with Senegal, then I would step aside," he declared earlier this year. Remarkably, the footballing world has largely taken him at his word.

The confidence isn't unfounded. Senegal qualified for the tournament undefeated, topping their CAF group with 24 points after a dominant campaign. Their squad boasts genuine world-class talent, headlined by all-time leading scorer Sadio Mané (51 international goals), defensive stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly, and veteran midfielder Idrissa Gueye, who leads the nation with 122 caps. Observers have called this a "golden generation" for whom the 2026 World Cup represents a now-or-never moment.

Senegal's strength stems from two sources: a network of productive domestic academies that have consistently supplied players to Europe's top leagues, and aggressive diaspora recruitment targeting French-born talent before they commit to other nations. The result is a squad blending experienced veterans with exciting young players like 18-year-old PSG forward Ibrahim Mbaye.

Their World Cup draw, however, is brutal. Placed in Group I alongside France, Norway, and Iraq, they will have their June 16 opener against France at MetLife Stadium as an immediate measuring stick.

Off the pitch, there's been minor turbulence around Thiaw's contract situation, though the Senegalese Football Federation has firmly denied reports of any travel disruptions tied to the issue, calling such suggestions "unfounded rumours."

Sunday's friendly in Charlotte kicks off at Bank of America Stadium.

Pochettino Navigates Rumors

Managers Dealt With Questions About His Next Job During World Cup Prep

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just weeks away, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino finds himself juggling tournament preparations alongside an unwanted off-field distraction: reported interest from AC Milan.

The story broke Thursday morning as the U.S. squad gathered at the newly opened Arthur M. Blank National Training Center outside Atlanta. Reports emerged that Pochettino had met with Milan representatives about their vacant coaching position following the dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri. When asked directly, Pochettino denied personally meeting with Milan officials, but left the door open regarding his representatives. "My representatives? It may be possible because they need to do their job," he said.

Despite the noise, U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson firmly dismissed concerns about distraction. "I'm confident that Mauricio and team are 100 percent focused on this summer," Batson told reporters, noting that Pochettino's staff were among the first to arrive and last to leave the training facility.

Pochettino's contract expires following the tournament, and the Argentine hasn't hidden his desire to eventually return to club soccer in Europe, where he has homes in London and Barcelona. Still, he insists his commitment to the World Cup is ironclad.

On the football side, preparations appear well advanced. Pochettino reportedly had his preferred starting lineup locked in since before March camp. The team will play final tuneups against Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte and Germany on June 6 in Chicago before heading to their California base ahead of the June 12 opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles.

USMNT Release 2026 World Cup Roster

Manager Pochettino Named His 26-Man Roster on Tuesday

Mauricio Pochettino unveiled the United States Men's National Team's 26-player World Cup roster on Tuesday, May 26, during a star-studded event at Pier 17 in New York City, broadcast live on FOX. The team will now head to Atlanta to begin final preparations before two pre-tournament friendlies.

The selections were largely predictable, with 13 players returning from the 2022 Qatar squad, including marquee names like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. Pulisic leads the roster with 84 caps, making him the most experienced player on the team.

The forward group drew particular praise. Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright combined for 56 club goals this season, with Balogun scoring 19 for Monaco, Pepi also netting 19 to lead PSV Eindhoven to a Dutch title despite injury, and Wright bagging 18 to help Coventry City earn Premier League promotion.

The roster wasn't without controversy, however. The omission of Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann, who was shut down by his club due to a muscle strain, came as a "big surprise" to the player himself. Rather than replacing him with another midfielder like Aidan Morris, Pochettino instead added defender Joe Scally, a move that left the midfield looking thin on depth.

For the first time since MLS launched in 1996, all three goalkeepers on the roster—Chris Brady, Matt Freese, and Matt Turner—play in the domestic league. Notably, Brady becomes the first uncapped player named to a USMNT World Cup roster since Juergen Sommer in 1994.

The Americans open Group D play against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles.

World Cup Roster Leaked

The Guardian Released the Roster Ahead of the Official Release on Tuesday

Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man World Cup roster leaked ahead of its official Tuesday unveiling in New York City, and the biggest story isn't who made it, it's who didn't. Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann, who featured in each of the last six USMNT games, was left off the squad despite being considered a likely starter before suffering a muscle injury. His absence leaves the midfield looking thin, with only four central or defensive midfielders on the squad: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Sebastian Berhalter, and Cristian Roldan.

On the positive side, Gio Reyna made the team despite not starting a club match since December, a testament to Pochettino's belief in the young attacker's creative ability. Club América winger Alejandro Zendejas was also confirmed on the roster, likely at the expense of Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna.

The defensive corps is notably heavy, with 10 defenders selected to compete for four or five starting spots. The USMNT opens World Cup play on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Morris Playing for the Premier League

After the Southampton Controversy, Boro Play in the EFL Championship Play-Off Final

Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough are getting an unexpected second shot at Premier League promotion after Southampton's expulsion from the playoffs following a spying scandal, setting up a Championship final showdown with Hull City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Middlesbrough originally fell to Southampton 2-1 on aggregate in the semifinals, with Morris logging 90 minutes in the first-leg draw at the Riverside before playing the full 120 minutes in the extra-time second-leg loss at St. Mary's. His 44 appearances this season already represent a career best for the USMNT midfielder.

The road back hasn't been without turbulence. Head coach Kim Hellberg admitted it was "impossible" for his players to train during the chaotic period of uncertainty surrounding Southampton's expulsion, leaving questions about their mental readiness heading into Saturday's showpiece.

Hull, meanwhile, has had over a week to prepare and boast a strong playoff pedigree, having won their previous two Championship playoff finals. They also handed Boro a 1-0 defeat at the Riverside back in December.

Still, the stakes couldn't be higher. The winner joins Coventry City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League next season, with Morris and Middlesbrough hoping to make their unlikely second chance count.