The U.S. men’s national team showcased improvements as they secured a 2-0 victory against Japan, with key contributions from Folarin Balogun and Alex Zendejas. This match allowed coach Mauricio Pochettino to experiment with a 3-4-3 formation, which had shown promise in previous matches.

Balogun scored a crucial goal in the second half, demonstrating his importance in the No. 9 position, while Zendejas netted the opener, marking a significant first full match appearance for him under Pochettino’s management. Although Japan fielded a significantly altered squad, the win served as a stepping stone for USMNT to solidify their lineup ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

The match highlighted the potential for organized chaos in Pochettino’s tactical approach. With nine months until the World Cup, this game provided a glimpse of how the USMNT might evolve, although several areas for enhancement were evident.