The U.S. men’s national soccer team bounced back after a loss to South Korea by achieving a 2-0 victory over Japan in Columbus, Ohio. Goals came from Alex Zendejas in the 30th minute and Folarin Balogun in the 64th minute, marking the end of a seven-game winless streak against ranked teams. Even with Japan fielding a largely inexperienced squad, the U.S. managed to dominate the match, playing in front of a sold-out crowd.

Additional Context: The U.S. had previously suffered a loss against South Korea and hadn’t won against a top 25 team since March 2024. Coach Mauricio Pochettino values the upcoming eight friendlies as crucial preparation for the World Cup.

The match saw Zendejas volley a long cross from Max Arfsten and Balogun score following a crucial through pass from Christian Pulisic, showcasing the team’s offensive capabilities.

Despite strong efforts from Japan, including attempts that hit the crossbar, the U.S. secured the win to regain confidence ahead of their future matches.