Senegal win can help fans ‘trust’ US World Cup bid, says Mauricio Pochettino

WASHINGTON – Coach Mauricio Pochettino said the United States’ impressive 3-2 friendly win over Senegal on May 31 can help the American public trust in the team ahead of the World Cup, while talisman Christian Pulisic said he hoped people will stop “talking” after ending his five-month scoring drought.

The country, along with Canada and Mexico, is co-hosting the tournament which kicks off on June 11, with high hopes that stars like Pulisic can lead the home side deep into the knockout stages.

Though there are no minnows among World Cup opponents Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey, anything less than progress beyond Group D would be an embarrassment for the US men’s national team.

The American public’s expectations had been deflated by recent friendly losses to Portugal and Belgium in March, and a longstanding poor track record against the most elite sides.

But the win at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte – Pochettino’s second as US coach against top-15 opposition, after beating then 15th-ranked Uruguay in November – could prove to be useful in boosting morale among supporters as well as within the squad, the coach said.

“The good feelings with that victory, I think it’s more important for the environment than for us,” said the 54-year-old.

“For us, it’s important always to win. But it is important also for the environment to trust a little bit after the last two games, against Belgium and Portugal.”

He added: “Today... we saw the commitment of everyone there. We have attitude and commitment, we have the talent, we have players that have enormous talent.”

Former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach Pochettino took over the US team at a low ebb in September 2024.

After the dismal failure of not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, the US had won the 2021 Gold Cup and three consecutive Concacaf Nations League titles.

But after a respectable showing at the 2022 World Cup under coach Gregg Berhalter, the wheels came off spectacularly, with multiple early tournament exits leading to the dramatic hiring of the Argentinian.

He shook up a staid dressing room, scouring Major League Soccer for rising talent that could offer vital competition, or alternatives, to established stars.

Even US talisman Pulisic has come under pressure and scrutiny in recent months.

The AC Milan forward had not scored a single goal in 2026, and had not struck for his country since 2024. He managed a goal and an assist on May 31 before being withdrawn at half-time.

“The performance of Christian in 45 minutes was really, really good,” said Pochettino.

“The way he played for 45 minutes was the habits that he created last week. Every day training with this attitude, with this commitment, with this energy. I think now we need to try to extend (it) until 90 minutes.

“I am happy for him also because after a long time, a few months, he scored again. Obviously, that is important for our players in the preparation to the World Cup.”

Pulisic, meanwhile, hoped ending his goal drought would stop people “talking”.

“I felt this confidence. I’ve played really well in recent months too, but all people seem to care about is goals,” the 27-year-old was quoted by ESPN as saying.

“So hopefully now people can stop talking about it. And I feel good, and now obviously just a friendly, (we’ve) got big games ahead and I got to be ready.”

Sergino Dest, playing in a more advanced role than his typical defensive duties permit, scored on his return from injury, while first-choice striker Folarin Balogun added a third off the bench in the second half.

The confidence boost from fending off the recent Africa Cup of Nations finalists Senegal comes at a crucial time, with the US about to face the challenge of arguably the World Cup’s most evenly-matched and competitive group.

Before that, Pochettino’s men will play in another daunting friendly against Germany in Chicago on June 6. AFP