The match marks the first time the official group of 26 Americans has come together under Pochettino. The new head coach will be eager to see which players collaborate best on the pitch and in which formation, having favored a three-back system last fall yet relying on a four-back in the new calendar year.
Sunday's bout is also the first match since the March international window, during which the USMNT suffered two losses: a humiliating 5–2 defeat to Belgium and a 2–0 loss to Portugal. The Stars and Stripes will be eager to get back to winning ways before entering the spotlight of soccer's grandest stage.
Meanwhile, Senegal will enter Bank of America Stadium off back-to-back wins, having defeated Peru 2–0 and Gambia 3–1 in the March window. The Lions of Teranga also enter with a point to prove following the controversy of having their AFCON title stripped away nearly two months after the final.
Although the result won't matter heavily on Sunday, both teams will hope for a confidence-building result in the lead up to the World Cup, which is just two weeks away.
USMNT vs. Senegal Score Prediction
USMNT Earn an Action-Packed Draw Against West African Powerhouse
After consecutive losses to European powerhouses back in March and amid anticipation of a deep run this summer, the USMNT will need to prove it can hang with the best. There is no better way to do that than walking away with a positive result against the West African powerhouse.
Senegal is ranked No. 14 globally, two spots ahead of the Stars and Stripes in FIFA's World Rankings. Pochettino should have his offense firing on all cylinders, with every attacking player having a full bill of health, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun.
Key Player Storylines
Christian Pulisic: Pulisic will be desperate to reverse his fate ahead of the tournament—currently on a career-worst goal-less drought. He has not scored in his last 19 outings, dating back to 2025 at the club level and 2024 for the national team. Nevertheless, he and Pochettino have remained steadfast in their belief that his goals will come soon. It could be said that the 27-year-old has begun to break the ice—"Captain America" had a skillful assist two weeks ago to help AC Milan secure an important 2–1 win over Genoa, his first goal contribution since March and only his second since December. Pochettino also made a guarantee that he will score in the World Cup, if not sooner.
Folarin Balogun: If the goals don't come for Pulisic, they will most certainly come for Balogun, who can't seem to stop scoring. The 24-year-old had 19 goals and five assists in 43 games across Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Champions League, proving himself as one of the best young attackers in Europe. One of the most potent strikers in Europe coming into the World Cup, Balogun has found the back of the net 11 times in his last 14 matches for Monaco across all competitions.
Chris Richards: Where the USMNT might fall short, though, is their backline. The hosts will be missing defensive stalwart Chris Richards, who suffered two torn ligaments in his ankle last week with Crystal Palace, ruling him out of Sunday's bout. The center back is critically important for the U.S.'s defensive operation, and without him, there is a hole in talent that the likes of captain Tim Ream and the other options cannot adequately fill, leaving the door open for Senegal star forwards Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson to pounce.
Richards has the most tactical versatility of any of the U.S. center backs, as well as unparalleled aerial capabilities, especially on set pieces. Fortunately, the return of right back Sergiño Dest at least brings one star back to the backline.
Prediction: USMNT 2-2 Senegal