USA-JAPAN EXPRESS:
Sept. 9 in Columbus, Ohio
USA 2 Japan 0. Goals: Zendejas 30, Balogun 64.
Att.: 20,192

On Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio, the USA celebrated a 2-0 win over Japan, which at the 2022 World Cup beat Germany and Spain.

Mauricio Pochettino made five changes to the starting lineup from its 2-0 loss on Saturday to South Korea. They included goalscorers Alex Zendejas and Folarin Balogun. Japan rotated its entire starting lineup from the team of mostly first stringers that tied Mexico 0-0 in Oakland.

The USA’s play improved progressively after the 20 minutes and it found a rhythm that gave it control of the game. It peppered Japan’s goal late in the second half and nearly came away with an even more impressive scoreline. Japan’s goalkeeper Keisuke Osako made nine saves in total.

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USA Player Ratings

(1=low; 5=middle; 10=high.)

GOALKEEPER

Matt Freese was well positioned to snag several Japanese headers on goal. He punched to safety one corner kick and securely caught the other crosses. The flawless performance came in his eighth straight start.

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

6
Matt Freese (New York City FC) 9/0 (26)


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DEFENDERS

The three-man backline worked out very well for the USA.

Chris Richards, a sub against the Koreans, won headers and tackles, intercepted passes and blocked one of Japan’s most lethal shots. One U.S. chance came when Richards pounced on an under-hit backward pass, which was nearly intercepted in the U.S. half, and initiated the attack.

On Richards’ one blunder, an errant pass to Yuito Suzuki, Tim Ream‘s quick arrival may have been why Junya Ito shot weakly at Freese.

Before the backline began syncing well with the midfield, Ream’s composure on the ball helped the USA weather Japan’s early-game pressure. While both Ream and Richards were far inside Japan’s half, Richards passed to Ream, who delivered to Matt Arfsten when he assisted on the opening goal (1-0).

Tristan Blackmon rebounded from his tough outing on Saturday and helped squash late-game Japanese counterattacks.

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

7
Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) 77/1 (37)