USMNT possible starting XI vs Senegal in pre-World Cup friendly
The United States faces the first of its two tests before the World Cup and this Sunday will host one of Africa’s top national teams in Atlanta.
The United States national team take the field this Sunday with 25 of the 26 players called up for the World Cup, in the first of two warm-up matches before their opener on June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
For this match, the USMNT say goodbye to Atlanta, with the city hosting a Senegal side expected to provide a difficult test for Mauricio Pochettino and his players.
Pochettino will have 25 of the 26 players available from his final roster, with Chris Richards still recovering from injury and hoping to be fit in time for the World Cup opener.
The expectation is that Pochettino will field a lineup very similar to the one he plans to use next weekend against Germany, which is likely to form around 90% of the core for the opener against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12.
One option for this match is a return to a back four in a 4-2-3-1 system, although there is also the possibility that, given what has worked recently, he sticks with a 3-4-3.
In a 4-2-3-1, the USMNT could line up as follows: Matt Freese, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun.
In a 3-4-3, the USMNT could start: Matt Freese, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun.
Stripes against Senegal. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/jUfYpIRGVM
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) May 30, 2026
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