3 things I learned on the USA sideline during the Senegal World Cup Tune-Up

Last Saturday’s win over Senegal felt like a breath of fresh air for the US men’s national team.

I could see it from the players as they walked onto the field and out of the tunnel. Snoop Dogg blasted the stadium and there was a positive and confident energy that the Americans need to maintain going into the World Cup.

I could see it during the national anthem. The players were singing and focusing instead of just having their hands on their hearts. They were locked in and I thought, “Wow, this is a team that looks ready for the World Cup regardless of the result of today’s game.”

Here’s what I learned from the win over Senegal.

The USA took that energy and intensity and used it on the field using a system that required high pressure and a lot of movement. That’s the style of play head coach Mauricio Pochettino expects from his team, and that’s what he got from the start against Senegal.

We basically saw two different teams between the two halves against Senegal with 10 changes at half-time. Sebastian Berhalter was the only starter to get minutes in the second half, of which I think he did a fantastic job of covering so much ground in the midfield and being the workhorse in the midfield. Both lineups looked good, but there were things that obviously need to be improved.

The biggest challenge at the World Cup will be whether the USA can maintain that intensity for the full 90 minutes. Senegal’s first goal came in the final five minutes of the first half, and the Americans almost conceded again in the final five minutes of the second half.

I was on the field for the game and I could hear the American coaching staff cursing in Spanish and pushing for the team to finish each half strong. We’re almost there.

We’re almost there.
Push it. PUSH IT!
Press. PRESSURE!

At that point, it’s all about game management. A quality opponent comes straight to the USA looking for a late-game goal. The keys there are to be mentally focused to close the game, but also with intensity and at the same time maintain the pressure that Pochettino wants.

It’s a good experience for the USA at the World Cup, when the pressure on them to defend would be even higher. They need to know how to close these games and be mentally, physically, emotionally locked down. The last 5 minutes of halves are when games are won or lost.

Christian Pulisic was able to shut up any press conference questions about his goal drought.

After more than six months without a goal for the national team, Pulisic followed up his assist on the USA’s opening goal with a fine finish that saw him round the keeper for the game’s second goal.

Pulisic was well aware of his goal drought for the national team. He doesn’t need to hear about it from reporters or analysts who create noise that he pays close attention to.

People know how important Christian is to this team and that he has to play well for the Americans to be successful this summer. This goal is now an opportunity for people to rally behind him going into the tournament. Every answer in the media from him was about how he won’t let the drought get to him and how goals will come.

Pulisic told me after the game that the start to the game, two goals in the first 20 minutes, will help the team build confidence going into the final friendly against Germany and the tournament. Team chemistry was on display for these two goals, with great movement on and off the ball.

The start of the game, especially Pulisic’s goal, was perfect timing and a really positive moment for a player and a team that needed it.

Pepi and Balo. USA’s striking partnership shined against Senegal. Ricardo Pepi had an assist and a hand in the first goal in the first half, while Folarin “Balo” Balogun found the back of the net in the second.

It started with Pepi, who got the kick-off and played a role in both of the Americans’ early scores. His pass set Pulisic off down the left before Dest finished the move and then put Pulisic through on goal for the second.

Pepi was confident on the ball and his movement was very dynamic. He was able to open up spaces for players like Pulisic and Antonee Robinson on the left wing. We don’t often see Pepi start so this will help build his confidence as the World Cup approaches.

And then Folarin Balogun came on for the second half. He is a natural goalscorer and is so dangerous in and around the 18-yard box. He puts himself in really, really good positions. He got his goal and was a constant threat.

Both strikers did what they had to do. They both helped in attack and defense by pressuring Senegal’s defence.

Back in 2022, the forward position was a big question mark heading into the tournament. After the game against Senegal, it seems like a position of strength to continue to build on.