So, it has come to this. Two friendlies remain for the USMNT as they prepare to play at home in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The final friendly will be on June 6th against Germany. The first actual group stage game of the tournament is June 12th against Paraguay. Room on the proverbial runway closes with every passing moment.

Today, in the penultimate warmup, the US take on Senegal.

Before we get into it, here’s a reminder of the 26 man roster that coach Mauricio Pochettino has to call upon for this match and the tournament to come:

Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire, 0 caps/0 goals), Matt Freese (New York City, 14/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution, 53/0)

Defenders (10): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew, 18/1), Sergiño Dest (PSV, 37/2), Alex Freeman (Villarreal, 15/2), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse, 27/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC, 80/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace, 36/3), Antonee Robinson (Fulham, 52/4), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati, 38/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach, 24/0), Auston Trusty (Celtic, 6/0)

Midfielders (4): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth, 52/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps, 11/1), Weston McKennie (Juventus, 64/12), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders, 45/0)

Attacking midfielders/wingers (6): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United, 57/9), Christian Pulisic (Milan, 84/32), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach, 36/9), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen, 28/3), Tim Weah (Marseille, 49/7), Alejandro Zendejas (Club América, 13/2)

Strikers (3): Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco, 25/8), Ricardo Pepi (PSV, 35/13), Haji Wright (Coventry City, 20/7)

Given the personnel assembled, it seems likely that Mauricio Pochettino has firmly decided to construct the lineup around the 3-4-2-1 formation that drastically improved team cohesion and effectiveness when implemented late in the cycle. The change in tactical thinking occurred unexpectedly back in September of last year, following a morale-crushing 2-0 loss to South Korea in Harrison, NJ. In the same international window, with only three days between matches, Pochettino decided to try something different. Gone was the back four, the three man midfield. In came a back three, two wingbacks, and a tenacious core of two defensive midfielders to disrupt play. The two wingers narrowed into dual 10s behind the lone striker. It worked instantly, as the US got the 2-0 win over Japan at Lower.com Field in Columbus.

The USMNT would follow that friendly win up with a combative 1-1 draw with South American contender, Ecuador, and defeat Paraguay and Australia, both future group stage opponents, each by a score of 2-1. The system reached its zenith with an astonishing 5-1 trouncing of Uruguay in November.

Then came this year’s tune up matches, which saw the US badly beaten by Belgium and Portugal by a combined score of 7-2, with both of the host’s goals coming in a chaotic, lopsided shootout with Belgium. Both lineups varied and seemed strangely experimental, given the context, and damaged the perceived trajectory of World Cup preparation.

Which brings us here, to this game, and the tournament looming.

Pochettino has a chance to prove that the US is in good shape and can inspire fans with a deep run in the upcoming tournament, and that his mind is focused on the task after drawing criticism for taking AC Milan meetings concerning his post-tournament career just days ago. Optimism for this match will be somewhat dampened by the continued treatment for Chris Richards from a late season ankle ligament injury, as Tim Ream is handed the captaincy. Still, even with Richards spared minutes in this game, the need is strong for a confidence boosting performance.

Senegal, however, is not one to lie down, and boasts plenty of talent and cohesiveness. The African side is both simultaneously the team that won the AFCON final after a penalty kick shootout with rising powerhouse, Morocco, while also carrying a massive chip on their shoulder following a gobsmacking reversal of the result by the Confederation of African Football.

Fans of the international game likely know such names as Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Iliman N’Diaye, Nicolas Jackson, Pape Matar Sarr, Kalidou Koulibaly, El Hadji Malick Diouf, and goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, to name a few. The club history of many on the roster is commensurate with the some of the best teams in the tournament, and the side is seen as perhaps the strongest African contender in a loaded field.

A US victory today would bring great relief to the national team camp, but those who know what Senegal is capable of should feel uneasy, and those who are less familiar will be unlikely to forgive the US a pre-tournament failure, if it occurs.

Even without the pressure of World Cup play, this game has plenty riding on it for both teams, and it’s unclear how “friendly” this warmup will in fact be.

Lock in, viewer.

Chat about the match in the comments below!

USA vs. Senegal

Advertised Kick-off Time: 3:30 PM Eastern, 12:30 Pacific PM

Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Available TV: TNT, truTV, Telemundo, Universo

Available streaming: HBOMax (English), Peacock (Spanish)