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.
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