In Columbus on Tuesday, the U.S. men’s national team beat Japan 2-0 at Lower.com Field, snapping a run of losses to top‑25 opponents under manager Mauricio Pochettino. Alejandro Zendejas opened the scoring in the 30th minute and Folarin Balogun added a second in the 64th with an assist from Christian Pulisic. Goalkeeper Matt Freese made six saves while Japan’s Keisuke Osako recorded nine, and the result offered a timely morale boost after a 2-0 defeat to South Korea on Saturday. The win also halted a stretch of defeats to ranked opponents and gave Pochettino a clearer glimpse of lineup cohesion ahead of the 2026 World Cup cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Scoreline: United States 2, Japan 0; goals by Alejandro Zendejas (30′) and Folarin Balogun (64′).
- Venue and date: Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio — Tuesday (following a 2-0 U.S. loss to South Korea on Saturday).
- Saves: US goalkeeper Matt Freese made six saves; Japan keeper Keisuke Osako made nine saves.
- Shot profile: U.S. had 19 shots with 11 on target, converting two; Japan’s Osako kept the scoreline from being wider.
- Ranking context: Japan entered the match ranked No. 17 in the FIFA standings; the win ends a run of losses by the U.S. to top‑25 teams under Pochettino.
- Scoring breadth: Zendejas and Balogun became the 16th and 17th different scorers for the U.S. during Pochettino’s 18‑game tenure, per OptaJack.
- Next fixtures: U.S. will meet Ecuador and Australia in October, then Paraguay and Uruguay in November as part of fall windows.
Background
The USMNT entered the September window under scrutiny after a 2-0 loss to South Korea, which exposed issues in defensive concentration and attacking rhythm. Mauricio Pochettino has used the fall internationals to test personnel and tactical setups as the federation and coaching staff build toward the 2026 World Cup, hosted in part by the U.S. That experimental approach produced mixed results, and losses to high‑ranked opponents raised questions about the team’s readiness against elite opposition.
Japan, ranked 17th by FIFA, traveled with a reputation for technical control and compact defending; they frequently test opponents with disciplined buildup and quick transitions. For the U.S., balancing the integration of younger attacking options while stabilizing goalkeeper and defensive roles has been a central challenge. The Columbus match was framed as a chance to restore confidence among fans and to provide clarity about selection ahead of the October schedule.
Main Event
The match opened with both teams probing but the U.S. gradually asserted greater control through midfield organization and quicker forward runs. Alejandro Zendejas broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a composed finish after U.S. buildup started from deep midfield. That goal changed the game dynamic, forcing Japan to alter its shape and chase more possession.
In the second half, Christian Pulisic’s movement and vision created space; his through ball set up Folarin Balogun for a clinical finish in the 64th minute that sealed the two-goal cushion. The U.S. maintained a more aggressive posture than in the South Korea match, with measured pressing and improved chance creation that yielded 11 shots on target from 19 attempts.
Defensively and in goal, Matt Freese contributed six saves that preserved the clean sheet, while Japan’s Keisuke Osako responded with nine saves that limited the scoreline to two. The interplay of an effective attacking finish and dependable goalkeeping allowed the U.S. to manage the closing stages and avoid late pressure.
Analysis & Implications
Tactically, the game suggested Pochettino is starting to find a workable balance between experimentation and coherence. The midfield structure limited Japan’s ability to control tempo in key spells, and the attacking rotations created moments of penetration that led directly to both goals. For a coach testing many combinations, a performance with clear end-product matters for selection decisions.
From a personnel perspective, Zendejas and Balogun adding to the list of scorers highlights both depth and variety in the U.S. attack; reaching 17 different scorers across 18 games illustrates Pochettino’s rotation but also raises questions about a settled frontline. If Pochettino wants a consistent strike partnership into 2026, this result is a data point in favor of certain attacking profiles but not definitive selection evidence.
Psychologically, beating a top‑25 team restores momentum and calms immediate external pressure on the manager. Pochettino’s public dismissal of some criticism before the match underlines the high-stakes climate around the program: a single win won’t erase structural issues, but it does provide breathing room to refine tactics in October and November.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | United States | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 2 | 0 |
| Shots (on target) | 19 (11) | — (—) |
| Saves (keeper) | 6 (Freese) | 9 (Osako) |
| FIFA rank (pre-match) | — | 17 |
The table highlights the U.S.’s volume advantage in shots and the contrasting keepers’ save totals. Japan’s goalkeeper performance (nine saves) indicates the final scoreline could have been different; conversely, the six saves by Freese underline his role in preserving the clean sheet and advancing his claim for the starting spot. Looking back at recent windows, the U.S. has rotated heavily, and this match reduces uncertainty but does not fully resolve questions about a settled XI.
Reactions & Quotes
Players and staff framed the result as necessary and constructive for team morale and selection clarity.
“We needed a win,”
Tyler Adams, USMNT midfielder (pregame broadcast)
Adams had said before kickoff that a victory was essential for momentum; the team’s response on the pitch matched that urgency and resulted in tangible progress.
“Bulls***,”
Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT head coach (paraphrased comment on criticism)
Pochettino used strong language on Monday to dismiss external criticism; Tuesday’s result will ease pressure and give him a more positive platform for selection and messaging heading into October.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Matt Freese is now the permanent first‑choice goalkeeper for competitive matches under Pochettino remains undecided and will depend on form and selection in coming windows.
- That this single victory marks a permanent tactical turning point for the team is premature; more consistent performances against ranked opponents are needed to confirm a trend.
Bottom Line
The 2-0 win over No. 17 Japan in Columbus is an important corrective for the USMNT: it ends a run of losses to top‑25 opponents under Mauricio Pochettino, provides evidence of growing chemistry in attack, and gives the coaching staff clearer options as the team approaches critical fall fixtures. Zendejas and Balogun adding to the scorer list shows depth in attacking choices, while Freese’s six saves bolster his case in goal.
Still, one result does not resolve the broader questions about a settled starting XI or tactical identity. The October friendlies against Ecuador and Australia, followed by November matches with Paraguay and Uruguay, will be decisive for assessing whether the United States has converted this moment into durable progress ahead of 2026.
Sources
- Yahoo Sports — media match report
- OptaJack (Twitter) — statistical feed on U.S. scorers
- FIFA: Japan profile — official federation ranking information