In Charlotte, U.S.'s win inspires confidence in themselves -- and someone else

Alex Zietlow, The Charlotte Observer on May 31, 2026

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The U.S. men’s national team put on a show in Charlotte — inspiring the kind of confidence that the American club needs as it charges into the World Cup next month.

For who else did the victory deliver confidence?

The USMNT fan.

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters as much after the team’s 3-2 win over Senegal on Sunday afternoon in Bank of America Stadium. The win, after all, becomes the program’s second win over a Top 15 opponent under Pochettino; the U.S. 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 importance for our continuous improvement is also for the fans who really believe in us,” Pochettino said. “The good thing is, with that victory, I think it’s more important for the environment than for us. It’s important for us to win, but it’s also important for the environment to trust us after the last two games, against Belgium and Portugal.

He continued: “You win a game, you’re at the top. You lose a game ... you’re trying to find that balance (and enter) official competition at the World Cup with good feelings.”

The score alone might make the fans happy. But even still, the one-goal margin doesn’t quite do justice the display the Americans put on Sunday.

The team leapt to a 2-0 lead early in the first half thanks to the majesty and refreshing return-to-form of Christian Pulisic, who assisted on the first goal and finished off the second. The assist featured his most impressive creativity and tidiness on the ball — where he maneuvered his way through the back line and delivered an easy cross to Sergiño Dest for the score.

The U.S. allowed a goal right before half, and then, with Pochettino trying to learn most about his team, the squad switched out 10 of its 11 players to begin the second 45 minutes. Three times in the second half the U.S. found the back of the net but only one was not disallowed (via Folarin Balogun). After the second disallowance, the crowd of 57,741 sang their disapproval with words that can’t be printed in a family newspaper.

Even without those chances cashed in, it was a “positive” day for USMNT, players said.

“I think leading into a World Cup, it’s a good result for us,” midfielder Weston McKennie said post-match. “It builds confidence. It builds momentum to what we’re trying to do. Obviously coming off the last camps that we had, which weren’t as successful as we wanted it to be, maybe.

“As you see, soccer is a beautiful game, and to come here in Charlotte, have a good stadium, good atmosphere, and team chemistry, and to get a result, that’s what matters.”

The fans ought to be specifically happy for Pulisic. Sunday marked his eighth match with a goal and an assist, tying Clint Dempsey for second-most all-time, according to a USMNT spokesperson. They each trail Landon Donovan, who has 13 international caps with a goal and an assist.

Pulisic had to wait for such an honor, though; Sunday witnessed his first goal for club or country in five months. His most recent goal arrived for AC Milan in December 2025; his last USMNT goal was in November 2024.

“You could see it on my face, probably, I was very excited, just to finally get the goal,” Pulisic said. “Just felt awesome.”

His review of the stadium would leave Charlotte fans smiling, too.

“It was electric,” Pulisic said. “Honestly, the first 30 minutes of the game, they just carried us through. I thought there was so much energy. ... I don’t remember many better venues playing in America.”

He even added of the growth of the game in America: “We’ve seen it grow a lot in recent years. But also just Charlotte as a soccer city.”

The Americans wrap up their friendly “send-off” series against Germany next weekend before the World Cup begins against Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET on June 12. And players and coaches alike hope Charlotte is a catalyst for confidence.

That goes for the players, the coaches, the fans — for everyone.

“It doesn’t count as a point,” Pochettino said. “But it is important to get good feelings. And we are still in (the midst) of our preparation. But I think we are going in a good direction.”