Questions facing the USMNT ahead of showdown with Senegal
The United States takes on Senegal in Charlotte with several key questions still to answer. Pulisic, the goalkeeper position, the defense and the midfield will all be under the spotlight.
The U.S. men’s national team will face Senegal on Sunday, May 31, in Charlotte in what could be a pivotal test for Mauricio Pochettino’s project ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Following recent defeats to Belgium and Portugal, the Americans enter the match with a number of concerns they will need to address if they hope to arrive at next year’s tournament in top form.
One of the biggest storylines surrounds Christian Pulisic, who is currently enduring a worrying 21-game goal drought for both club and country.
The battle for the No. 1 spot remains open
Another major question facing the coaching staff is who will start in goal.
Matt Turner remains one of the favorites thanks to his international experience, but Matt Freese is in excellent form and could use this opportunity to strengthen his case for a place in the starting lineup.
The defensive unit is another area of concern for the U.S.
The speed and attacking threat of players such as Ismaïla Sarr will require much better coordination from the center backs. In addition, the late arrival of Chris Richards, following the conclusion of his season with Crystal Palace, will be something to monitor closely.
Pochettino searching for more balance in midfield
In midfield, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie appear to have locked down starting roles.
However, the Argentine coach knows his team needs to be more organized and balanced in the middle of the field to avoid the defensive breakdowns that contributed to the 5-2 loss to Belgium and the 2-0 defeat against Portugal during the previous international window.
The attacking options are also generating plenty of intrigue.
Folarin Balogun and Haji Wright arrive on the back of strong scoring seasons in Europe and could become key pieces alongside Pulisic in the final third.
Gio Reyna remains a question mark
Finally, one of the most interesting storylines will be the role of Gio Reyna.
The talented playmaker can operate as a creative midfielder or come off the bench as an impact substitute, giving Pochettino additional flexibility as he searches for the right formula ahead of the World Cup.
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