USMNT player ratings vs. Senegal: Live grades for USA team in 2026 FIFA World Cup tuneup friendly originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The first chance to test themselves against World Cup opposition is here for the U.S. men’s national team as they begin their ramp-up to the 2026 FIFA tournament with a friendly against Senegal on Sunday.
Mauricio Pochettino has made his final decisions on the USMNT roster for the coming summer competition and now is ready to challenge the players on the pitch.
This will be the first of two pre-World Cup friendlies for the United States before the tournament itself begins on June 11, with a game against Germany to follow on June 6.
The Sporting News brings you a live breakdown of each USMNT player’s performance against 14th-ranked Senegal as the game progresses, as well as more detailed analysis after the conclusion of the match.
FOLLOW LIVE:Get minute-by-minute updates from USA vs. Senegal LIVE on site in Charlotte, NC
USA vs. Senegal live score
Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
USMNT starting lineup:
USA (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Turner — 16. Freeman, 22. McKenzie, 13. Ream, 5. A. Robinson — 4. Adams, 14. Berhalter — 2. Dest, 7. Reyna, 10. Pulisic — 9. Pepi
USA substitutes: Freese (GK), Brady (GK), Trusty, M. Robinson, Arfsten, Scally, McKennie, Aaronson, Tillman, Weah, Zendejas, H. Wright, Balogun.
MORE:USMNT roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup | Why is the USMNT midfield so thin?
USMNT player ratings vs. Senegal
The United States began the match with a lineup that reflects the recent trend of Mauricio Pochettino deploying a team that plays a 4-2-3-1 in possession, and a 5-4-1 out of possession.
Five defenders were named to the lineup, but one — Sergino Dest on the right — moves high up the field when on the ball, and drops back to the defensive line when out of possession, with Alex Freeman tucking in as a third center-back.
A number of players, including Ricardo Pepi and Mark McKenzie, are not expected to be regular starters at the World Cup, but in the interest of squad rotation and keeping others healthy, Pochettino has decided to give some backups a chance to impress.
All ratings are on a 10-point scale
Starters
GK — Matt Turner: Grade pending
While Matt Freese is expected to be the No. 1 goalkeeper at the World Cup, 2022 starter Matt Turner got the start against Senegal to get him game action before Freese takes over. Could he make a late play at the starting spot? Most likely not, but he will be needed today against a quality attacking side in Senegal.
This section will be updated with further analysis as the game progresses.
Matt Turner gets the start 🧤
📺: TBS + HBO Max pic.twitter.com/Mn3EtgmVGB
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 31, 2026
RB — Alex Freeman: Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis as the game progresses.
RCB — Mark McKenzie: 6
Looked shaky in possession early, nearly putting the U.S. in a bad spot under Senegal pressing in the opening 10 minutes.
This section will be updated with analysis as the game progresses.
LCB — Tim Ream: Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis as the game progresses.
LB — Antonee Robinson: Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis as the game progresses.
DCM — Tyler Adams: Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis as the game progresses.
CM — Sebastian Berhalter: Grade pending
With the battle for the second starting central midfield spot next to Tyler Adams in full swing, Sebastian Berhalter was deployed against Senegal with a chance to impress. Berhalter is likely battling Cristian Roldan for that spot, but Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna could factor into this position as well, with Tanner Tessmann left off the roster entirely.
This section will be updated further with analysis as the game progresses.
MORE:A thin midfield leaves USMNT dangerously exposed in 2026 World Cup journey
RW — Sergino Dest: 7
Sergino Dest was deployed in the hybrid Tim Weah role, where he will maraud forward when the U.S. has the ball, and drops back to right-back along a five-man defensive line when out of possession.
Was heavily involved down the right early, scoring the game’s first goal with a high-IQ back-post run and thumping finish.
This section will be updated with further analysis as the game progresses.
ACM — Gio Reyna: Grade pending
Should have pounded on a cutback across the face of goal, but let it go believing a teammate was behind him. Need to have a more killer instinct for a World Cup.
This section will be updated with further analysis as the game progresses.
LW — Christian Pulisic: 7
In the midst of a brutal stretch of poor form through the second half of the club season with AC Milan, USMNT star Christian Pulisic needs a reversal in fortunes if he is to lead the American attack on home soil. A goal or assist today would go a long way towards allaying fears of World Cup struggles.
Was dispossessed early in a one-on-one attack of Senegal right-back Krepin Diatta, but showed good attacking impetus. Played a lovely move with Ricardo Pepi on the opening goal, driving forward and feeding an inch-perfect cross to Sergino Dest for the strike.
This section will be updated with further analysis as the game progresses.
FWD — Ricardo Pepi: 7
Always known as a strong presser and good finisher, he isn’t exactly known as a great passer, but his wonderful hockey assist to Christian Pulisic on the opening goal showed ingenuity and creativity to unlock the Senegal back line.
This section will be updated with further analysis as the game progresses.
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USMNT substitutes vs. Portugal
Grades pending
This section will be updated with analysis as the game progresses.
USMNT coach vs. Portugal
Mauricio Pochettino: Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis following the conclusion of the match.
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