The United States Men's National Team secured a win over Senegal with Matt Turner earning the start in net.
Turner started behind the backline of Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, and Mark McKenzie. Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest were on the wings while Tyler Adams and Sebastian Berhalter played centrally in the midfield. Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna played as attacking midfielders while Ricardo Pepi was the lone striker.
The match was Turner's second international start since June 2025. Itw as his 54th USMNT cap. Additionally, the starting XI averaged 44 caps and has an average age of 27 years, 134 days.
The USA dominated possession to start the match, with Senegal sitting in a low block. It didn't take long for the USMNT to find the back of the net as Pulisic stormed down the wing after some gret build-up play and found Dest in front of goal, with the PSV man finding the back of the net in the 7th minute.
Pulisic puts it on a platter for Dest and the USMNT leads early in Charlotte!
— Soccerwise (@soccerwisehq.bsky.social) May 31, 2026 at 3:49 PM
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Turner was called into action in the 12th minute as Sadio Mane was played in on goal. The Revolution goalkeeper darted off his line and got to the ball first as he secured the ball and played it upfield.
The scoring would continue for the U.S. as Freeman played Pepi forward on the flank and the striker tapped a pass forward to a darting Pulisic, who took a touch to round Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw and calmly put it away to give the USMNT a 2-0 lead in the 20th minute.
Turner was called into action once again in the 37th minute as he made a kick save on an attempt from Mane. But the former Liverpool striker would get his revenge as he got behind McKenzie and skillfully snuck his shot past Turner in the 44th minute. Robinson got Senegal's attack started with a turnover, which he surely will regret.
Overall, it was a quality first 45 minutes for the USMNT. The squad was able to score but needed to remain locked in for the entire half instead of making silly mistakes.
Turner's day ended after 45 minutes as he was replaced by Chris Brady. Overall, it was a good performance but the goal will leave a sour taste in Turner's mouth and potentially Mauricio Pochettino's as the head coach awaits to make his final decision on a starting goalkeeper.
Along with Turner, nine other players were swapped out at half. Tim Weah, Joe Scally, Folarin Balogun, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan, Malik Tillman, and Max Arfsten came into the match with Berhalter being the only player to remain in the game from the starting XI.
The U.S. nearly struck less than five minutes into the second half with Tillman creating a turnover and feeding Balogun, who curled his shot into the back of the net. Unfortunately, for the Monaco striker, he was offside, and the goal was called back.
Miles Robinson and Brady combined to essentially gift Senegal a tying goal. Robinson's pass was deflected and aided Senegal's attack. The goalkeeper came off his line and missed the chip on goal. As the ball rolled towards the net, Robinson attempted to clear it but his attempt bounced off Mane to level the score in the 52nd minute.
After having his goal called back, Balogun would eventually get on the scoresheet as he got a golden opportunity in front of goal in the 63rd minute. Weah sent a cross into the box that fell to the Monaco striker with no defenders around him and Balogun didn't let the chance go to waste as his shot trickled into the goal.
The last change for the U.S. came in the 76th minute as Berhalter was replaced by Alex Zendejas. The Club America attacker nearly scored in the 82nd minute as he raced towards goal after forcing a turnover, but his shot was deflected out of bounds.
Now the United States will look ahead to a major test as they face Germany on June 6 in Chicago.
