Di USMNT don finally take field together as one squad for di first time, as dem dey prepare for di World Cup friendly against Senegal. Dis match na just friendly, e no count for World Cup, but e get plenty meaning for di players wey dey battle for roles and momentum.
Time and again, we don see teams dominate pre-tournament friendlies and fall flat. We also don see teams take humbling just before tournament and use am to refocus and make real run. With all dat said, Sunday friendly na di first time we go see di USMNT World Cup roster on di field.
Di 26 players don all dey around di team for di last few years, but dis na first time we go see dis particular group together. Wetin dat group look like? Wetin e play like? Dem be di questions wey make Sunday matter.
Christian Pulisic don score im first international goal since November 2024, as e round Mory Diaw to bag di goal. Pulisic off-ball movement na among im greatest strengths, but one wey e seldom embrace as di US leading man. Di US dey absolutely flying.
Senegal pull one back through Sadio Mane, wey complete breakneck counter to make am 2-1. Mane no need touch, e take contact from Tyler Adams as e place shot beyond Matt Turner for im 54th international goal. Na nervy wake-up call for di US.
Di return of di Robinson-Dest wing-back tandem na vital for dat rampant opening half-hour. Antonee Robinson and Pulisic find rhythm down left, while Sergino Dest enjoy freedom to roam with Alex Freeman covering terrain behind am.
Matt Turner start for di US, making am im second international start since June 2025. Turner make just one start after pre-Gold Cup friendlies, but im form for MLS don be among di best for goalkeepers of any nationality dis season. Dis na im 54th international cap.
Mauricio Pochettino dey lead im 25th match as USMNT boss. Dest and Robinson don retain status as presumptive starters at right and left, but dis na first time di pair don make same starting lineup under Pochettino. Dia last start in-tandem come for di 2024 Concacaf Nations League final.
Senegal lineup get same front-three wey start di Afcon final against Morocco: Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, and Sadio Mane. Mory Diaw start for goal, with Edouard Mendy no list among substitutes. Krepin Diatta and Ismail Jakobs go work to pin di US wing-backs into dia own half.
Di pitch for Bank of America Stadium get artificial turf, and event organizers don lay natural grass over am for today match. Unlike di hi-tech pitches wey go use for World Cup, dis field na old-school, with sod wey roll out just one week ago. Senegalese players dey see for training yesterday judging how di ball bounce, and dem no impress.
Di atmosphere outside di stadium dey really lively, with plenty US kits on view. Dey be di red-and-white, flag-themed kits wey dem go wear for World Cup. Strong Senegalese presence dey too, but dem go outnumber greatly by US fans.
