Christian Pulisic is back, and the United States will be absolutely delighted about that. The AC Milan winger had gone nearly six months without finding the net, which for a player who is supposed to be the creative heartbeat of this American side, was starting to become a bit of a talking point. Well, he answered those questions in style against Senegal, grabbing a goal and an assist in a lively 3-2 win that will have given Gregg Berhalter's squad a genuine lift ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
It was Sergiño Dest who actually got the party started, slotting home just seven minutes in to settle any early nerves. Dest has had a tough couple of years with injuries and inconsistent club form, so seeing him contribute like that will have been a boost for him personally too. The USA looked bright and purposeful in the opening exchanges, and when Pulisic got involved, the whole team seemed to carry a bit more of a threat.
Senegal are no pushovers, it has to be said. They are a proper international side with real quality, so a 3-2 win is not just a comfortable training exercise. The fact the game stayed tight until the end actually makes the result more useful as a preparation tool. You learn more about your squad when someone is actually pressing you than when you are strolling through a friendly against a side going through the motions.
The final warm-up before the World Cup comes against Germany on 6 June in Chicago, which is a fantastic fixture to have in your back pocket. If Pulisic can carry this form into that game, and then into the tournament itself, the USA could be a genuinely interesting side to watch on home soil. They have the athleticism, they have a few players with top-level club experience, and now they seem to have their best player firing again.
For a nation hosting the World Cup, momentum and confidence matter. This was a decent step in the right direction.
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