Balogun gives USMNT 3-2 win over Senegal in international friendly before 2026 World Cup
The USMNT locked in an impressive statement victory ahead of the 2026 World Cup, securing a gritty 3-2 win over Senegal in a high-profile international friendly
The USMNT locked in a crucial pre-World Cup statement victory at Bank of America Stadium, outlasting Senegal 3-2 in a high-stakes international friendly as both squads finalized their rosters for the 2026 group stage. With far more than a standard result on the line, the United States proved they are firing on all cylinders on home soil, picking up vital momentum before welcoming the eyes of the sporting world for this summer’s historic tournament.
Meanwhile, Senegal entered the match eager to prove they still carried the pedigree of an African giant. The Lions of Teranga were looking to prove why they defeated tournament host Morocco in extra time during the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Looking ahead, both squads will quickly shift their focus to their next pre-tournament tests; the USMNT will head to Chicago to square off against powerhouse Germany on June 6, while Senegal travel to Texas to face Saudi Arabia on June 9.
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USA beat Senegal 3-2 in an international friendly ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and you lived every moment of this exciting match here on Bolavip.
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90+4' - USA WIN! (3-2)
After an intense matchup, USA win the first international friendly against Senegal in North Carolina.
90+2' - It looks like everything will end like this (3-2)
Despite their attempts, USA and Senegal haven't found another goal in the game and it looks like both teams are ok with it.
90' - Additional time (3-2)
Four minutes of additional time.
88' - A roundtrip game (3-2)
We are going from area to area in the game, as both teams continue their quest to score a goal.
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86' - Diuff creates danger for Senegal (3-2)
In the left side of the field, Diuff showed that Senegal want to score the tie in the game. Unfortunately for them, neither of his teammates was there to score.
83' - USMNT keeps pressing Senegal (3-2)
Balogun and Weah have created plenty of chances, but Senegal's defense have defended outstandingly.
80' - Senegal have great chance (3-2)
After the struggling last 15 minutes, Senegal have created chances to equalize the game.
78' - A pretty close matchup (3-2)
Both teams are trying to create chances to score, but some posts and the defenders have prevented another goal in the game.
75' - Senegal are finding the way (3-2)
With their players in the both sides, they are trying to create chances with corner kicks.
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72' - USA don't want Senegal to score (3-2)
With Balogun as their main weapon, USA are trying hard to not let Senegal pass the middle of the field and try to score.
70' - Second half restart (3-2)
After hydratation and some substitutions, both teams are playing the second half.
67' - Rehydration break (3-2)
Both teams go to the bench to hydrate.
66' - USMNT wants to score its fourth goal (3-2)
With the USMNT is trying hard to score another goal, Senegal are defending as much as they can and they have been doing it successfully.
62' - USA SCORE (3-2)
A mistake from Senegal's defense let Balogun scored the third goal of the game.
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61' - A goal for the USA was disallowed (2-2)
After Balogun scored, the referee said that there was a previous foul, and the score keeps equalized.
58' - USMNT tries hard to score another goal (2-2)
With multiple attacks, the USMNT wants to score another goal in the game, but Senegal have defended outstandingly.
55' - Both teams want to score another goal (2-2)
In a game which both teams are making mistakes, they want to score another goal in the second half.
52' - MANE SCORES AGAIN! (2-2)
Senegal take advantage of the pressing and Mane scores.
¡DOBLETE DE SADIO MANÉ! ¡SE EMPATA EL PARTIDO! ⚽️⚽️
El 🔟 de Senegal empareja el encuentro tras error de Robinson en la defensa ‼️
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) May 31, 2026
49' - USMNT scored, but the goal was disallowed (2-1)
A great steal in Senegal's area led Balogun to score, but a clear offside led to disallowed the goal.
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47' - Senegal start the second half pressing the USMNT's defense (2-1)
With their strikers, Senegal want to score the tie in the second half, but the USMNT is defending outstandingly.
45' - Second half underway (2-1)
Valenzuela blows his whistle and the second half starts.
First half stats
Possession: USA 58% - Senegal 42% Total Shots: USA 6 - Senegal 4 Shots on Goal: USA 2 - Senegal 2 Pass Accuracy: USA 87% - Senegal 80% Fouls Committed: USA 9 - Senegal 3
45+3' - Halftime (2-1)
After an intense first half, USMNT and Senegal are 2-1 in North Carolina.
45' - Additional time (2-1)
Valenzuela adds three minutes.
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43' - SENEGAL SCORES (2-1)
USMNT lost the ball in the middle of field and great run from Ndiaye found Mane that scored.
¡RESPONDEN LOS AFRICANOS! 🔥🔥🔥
Sadio Mané marca y acorta distancias ante Estados Unidos 😎
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) May 31, 2026
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17' - Senegal keep pressing (1-0)
After the USMNT scored the first goal of the game, Senegal decided to use their fast players like Mane and Ndiaye to create chances, but USA's defense has been outstanding.
15' - JACKSON MISSES A CLEAR CHANCE TO SCORE (1-0)
After a great passing, Senegal had in Nicolas Jackson the opportunity to score, but sent the ball wide with just few yards from the goal.
13' - Mane asks for a penalty (1-0)
After a play in which Sadio Mane was about to score, USA's goalkeeper took the ball, according to the referee Valenzuela. Nothing happened.
10' - Senegal try to wake up (1-0)
With Mane in the lead, Senegal are trying to control the ball, but the USMNT is pressing them.
7' - USA SCORES! (1-0)
Pulisic takes advantage of a distraction of Senegal's defense and sent the ball to Dest that scores the first goal of the game.
USA starting XI: Matt Turner; Serginho Dest, Tyler Adams, Mark McKenzie Anthonee Robinson; Sebastian Berhalter, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman; Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi.
Because their competitive history is rooted heavily in Africa through rigorous CAF tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations, and their rare intercontinental friendlies are traditionally hosted in Europe or Asia, today's clash at Bank of America Stadium marks a historic milestone: the first time the Lions of Teranga have ever taken the pitch for a match on U.S. soil and against the USMNT too.
Today's venue
Bank of America Stadium stands as a massive, open-air sports and entertainment centerpiece anchored right in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. While the iconic venue narrowly missed out on hosting matches for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, it continues to solidify its reputation as a premier destination for major international soccer, making today's high-stakes match yet another historic chapter in the stadium's storied legacy.
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Start time and how to watch
USA vs Senegal will get underway at 3:30 PM ET (PT: 12:30 PM)
Watch this international friendly match between the USMNT and Senegal live in the USA on TBS, Telemundo, Universo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Sling Orange, Hulu + Live TV, Peacock Premium, Max.
USMNT and Senegal clash in international friendly
Welcome to our live blog of today's international friendly!
The USMNT faces Senegal at Bank of America Stadium in one of their final matches before the 2026 World Cup.
Stay with us for key updates, important moments, and minute-by-minute coverage as USMNT and Senegal battle it out in North Carolina.
Santiago Tovar is a bilingual sports journalist who joined Bolavip US in 2024. With over seven years of experience, he has covered a diverse range of sports, including soccer, NFL, NBA, tennis, and Formula 1. Santiago has provided real-time coverage of major events such as the 2021 Women's Copa America, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, and the Davis Cup qualifiers. Before joining Bolavip US, he worked at Kienyke.com and Redmas.com.co, where he developed strategies to highlight key sports moments across websites and social media platforms.