Get free access to all our World Cup coverage in the app, from kickoff to the trophy lift.Mauricio Pochettino challenged Christian Pulisic to use the momentum of his starring performance in Sunday’s 3-2 friendly victory over Senegal to spark the United States’ World Cup campaign into life.USMNT’s head coach was impressed with Pulisic’s cathartic, high-energy display in Charlotte, N.C., which saw him finally end a frustrating goal drought that had extended to more than five months. Before Sunday, his last U.S. came in November 2024, a span of eight appearances.“The performance of Christian, for 45 minutes, was really, really good,” Pochettino told reporters. “He still has the potential to improve. But I think it is the way that he is training from day one.“How way he played for 45 minutes was the habits that he created last week. Every day training with this attitude, with this commitment, with this energy. I think now we need to try to extend (it) until 90 minutes.“I am happy for him also because after a long time, a few months, he scored again. Obviously, that is important for our players in the preparation to the World Cup.”
Victory over Senegal gave Pochettino’s squad a timely boost ahead of its final World Cup warm-up, against Germany in Chicago on June 6.Goals from Sergiño Dest — assisted by Pulisic — then Pulisic himself, opened up a two-goal cushion in the first half, before Sadio Mané spearheaded a revival for the visitors, with goals either side of halftime.After Pochettino made 10 substitutions at the interval, Folarin Balogun continued his scoring ways with the winner, but not before being involved in a pair of disallowed efforts.Overall, Pochettino regarded the clash as one of the most convincing performances of his time in charge, coming just days after the final roster of 26 players was unveiled.“This is the first time we cannot complain and say nothing, maybe the second time,” the coach added. “It was the right attitude, the right commitment from everyone. That is the attitude we are trying to find.“It is important to start this week with good feelings knowing that we need to improve in different areas.”Top of that list will be various defensive issues, with both Senegal goals coming via careless errors.“The way that we concede the goals I think we need to improve,” Pochettino said. “Not to allow the opponent to create the chances that we concede. In my opinion, we conceded through our own mistakes. If we improve in the way we manage some situations, I think we will avoid that.”Folarin Balogun scored the USMNT’s match-winner off the bench in a friendly vs. Senegal (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)Getting into the winning habit was seen as imperative for the U.S., following a pair of concerning defeats to Belgium and Portugal in the March international window. Sunday’s result, which inflicted upon Senegal only its second loss in 16 matches, will add confidence with the team’s World Cup Group D opener against Paraguay less than two weeks away.Pochettino added: “I think it was more important for the environment, for the fans to believe in us.“It was important for the environment to trust in us after the last two games against Belgium and Portugal. You win a game … you are on top.“It is about finding the balance. Now again in one week we are going to face another amazing national team.”“But overall,” he added, “I think it was a positive day.”May 31, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
