The U.S. men's national team finished its World Cup preparation on a high note, beating Senegal 3-2 in a pre-tournament friendly with Christian Pulisic leading the way up front. The win closes out the Americans' tuneup schedule just days before the 2026 tournament opens.

What happened

The U.S. came out sharp and built its lead early, with Pulisic central to the attacking effort. Senegal pushed back to make it a 3-2 contest, but the Americans held on to take the result. It was the final fixture on the U.S.'s pre-World Cup calendar.

Why it matters

The friendly caps the U.S.'s last preparation window before the 2026 World Cup, and a winning send-off carries real value for momentum. Pulisic's form remains central to American hopes, making his showing in the finale a welcome sign. The same group that finalized its World Cup roster now turns its full attention toward the opener.

What to watch next

Focus shifts squarely to the U.S.'s World Cup opener, with the tournament now days away. Final lineup choices and remaining roster decisions are still to be settled as the staff sets its approach for the group stage. After a winning tuneup, the question becomes whether the Americans can carry that form into matches that count.