The USMNT beat Senegal 3-2 behind a goal and an assist from F Christian Pulisic in a “confidence-building” win on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, the Americans’ next-to-last World Cup warmup before their June 12 opener. The team “fed off the emotion and energy of a pro-American crowd” of 57,741 in soccer-crazed Charlotte, home of this summer’s MLS All-Star Game (AP, 5/31). The win was the program’s second win over a Top 15 opponent under coach Mauricio Pochettino. The USMNT was technically ranked 16th while Senegal was ranked 14th in the latest FIFA standings. It also marks a “nice turn of events after the team’s last two friendlies left fans wanting more -- lopsided losses to Portugal and Belgium.” The Americans wrap up their friendly “send-off” series against Germany next weekend in Chicago before the World Cup begins against Paraguay at 9pm ET on June 12. Players and coaches alike “hope Charlotte is a catalyst for confidence” after the victory (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/31).
USMNT delivers win in pre-World Cup match in Charlotte
