CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The U.S. men’s national team’s recent friendly against Senegal showcased a mixture of promise and concern on the path to the upcoming World Cup. After taking an early 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Sergiño Dest and Christian Pulisic, the Americans watched as Sadio Mane equalized for Senegal. Folarin Balogun emerged as a hero, coming off the bench to secure a 3-2 victory with a goal in the 63rd minute, assisted by Timothy Weah.
While the result may not have major implications, the performance was crucial for U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino. Following two disappointing defeats in March, the victory offered a much-needed morale boost. Pochettino reflected on the importance of cultivating winning habits, stating, “It’s important to get a good feeling, and we’re still a little lacking in preparation, but I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
Pochettino also emphasized the team’s health, aiming for everyone to be fit by June 12th rather than rushing for the May 31st deadline. Fortunately, it appears that the team managed to finish the match without any significant injuries. Despite a challenging start, Pochettino hopes to instill good habits in his squad, particularly on the defensive end, where inconsistencies were evident.
Pulisic Shows Signs of Resurgence
The pressure on Christian Pulisic has mounted significantly during a goal drought that extended for 21 games since December 28. His recent performance against Senegal, however, suggests he is regaining form. Pulisic played a pivotal role in the first half, contributing to both opening goals, first setting up Dest and then extending the lead in the 20th minute after a clever maneuver around Senegal’s goalkeeper, Molly Diaw. The emotional celebration revealed how heavily the drought weighed on him.
“I felt great. I was excited,” Pulisic said after the game, emphasizing the importance of ending the scoring hiatus just ahead of a crucial summer.
His struggles at AC Milan, where he often felt isolated, appeared to dissipate when working closely with forwards like Ricardo Pepi. This synergy, along with playing in a new role and cooperating effectively with left-back Anthony Robinson, bodes well for Pulisic moving forward.
Defense Under Scrutiny
Heading into the World Cup, concerns about the U.S. backline have intensified, particularly following lackluster performances in March. Pochettino opted for a four-man defense against Senegal, which largely succeeded in the first half. The central defensive duo of Mark McKenzie and Tim Ream performed adequately, though they struggled with transition defense. Mistakes further up the pitch often placed them under pressure, evident in Mane’s first-half goal resulting from poor ball control.
While McKenzie generally showed composure, Ream’s lapse in the 52nd minute directly led to Mane’s second goal. This reflects an ongoing concern; the U.S. has now conceded at least one goal in each of its last seven matches, a streak reminiscent of its performance under Jurgen Klinsmann in 2015.
Dest Solidifies His Position
Sergiño Dest’s performance has solidified his role on the wing, where he thrived as an attacking player rather than a traditional defender. By distancing himself from defensive responsibilities while aligning with a solid backline, Dest was able to leverage his strengths, highlighted by his run into the box to score from Pulisic’s cross.
This shift in position may alleviate some of the team’s longstanding issues with creativity in the final third. Dest’s offensive capabilities, paired with his offensive counterparts, appear to be a key development as the team navigates its way towards the World Cup.
Midfield Dynamics Uncertain
With Tanner Tessman’s removal from the roster, the question of who will partner Tyler Adams in midfield remains unresolved. Against Senegal, Sebastian Berhalter started but failed to alleviate defensive concerns. His inability to maintain possession led to a dangerous chance for Senegal, although Adams was substituted at halftime.
This performance raises doubts about Berhalter’s capacity to contribute meaningfully in World Cup matches, particularly given the pressing need for a robust midfield presence to protect the defense.
Identifying Pochettino’s Starting XI
The formation of a solid starting eleven is gradually taking shape, particularly with Weston McKennie’s impactful second-half appearance. His contributions underline his potential as a suitable partner for Adams. Meanwhile, Balogun’s decisive performances make him the probable starter, although Pulisic and Dest’s roles on the wings are crucial as well.
As the team looks toward future friendlies, including an upcoming match against Germany, Pochettino’s strategic choices will continue to evolve. The situations of the goalkeeper and attacking midfielder also remain fluid, with opportunities for emerging talents like Malik Tillman and Alejandro Zendejas starting to surface.
