USA make ideal start to home World Cup preparation with thrilling win over Senegal

Having long anticipated co-hosting the FIFA World Cup (WC), the USMNT are now less than two weeks from their opening match against Paraguay, with Mauricio Pochettino’s 26-man squad already announced.

Early signs were promising in this friendly as they moved the ball effectively and took the lead just seven minutes in. Christian Pulisic combined with Ricardo Pepi and set up Sergino Dest for a straightforward finish.

Senegal had a clear chance to reply on the quarter-hour mark, but Nicolas Jackson was wasteful, failing to direct Iliman Ndiaye’s cutback on target.

By contrast, the Stars and Stripes were again clinical in the 20th minute. Pulisic collected another pass from Pepi, this time calmly rounding Mory Diaw to slide the ball home for his own goal.

The Lions of Teranga finally found the net shortly before half-time through Sadio Mane, who coolly finished Habib Diarra’s pass following a swashbuckling run from the midfielder.

Pochettino made nine changes at the break, while Pape Thiaw made three, and the incoming defenders struggled to adapt. Malik Tillman dispossessed Moustapha Mbow and found Folarin Balogun, who scored but was flagged offside.

Miles Robinson was not so fortunate after a mistake; he could not prevent Mane from bundling the ball over the line to equalise after good work from Jackson.

Tillman also thought he had scored but was denied by referee Nick Walsh after a foul by Balogun. Balogun then benefited from a generous Mbow touch on Timothy Weah’s cross, finishing to restore the hosts’ lead.

He was denied a second by Diaw after the ball fell to him from Weston McKennie hitting the post.

Weah then made a determined block to stop Bamba Dieng's strike, ensuring the USMNT bounced back from consecutive defeats with a win, generating excitement ahead of the WC. A friendly against Germany follows before their competition opener.

Senegal round off their preparations against Saudi Arabia and are unlikely to panic before facing France in their tournament opener, as the only other official loss in their last 11 matches was the Africa Cup of Nations final awarded to Morocco.