Zendejas, Balogun Score in Resounding 2-0 Win for U.S. Men’s National Team over No. 17-ranked Japan in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Sept. 9, 2025) – The fortress of Columbus stood tall once again for the U.S. Men’s National Team as the program recorded another win in the historic soccer city. On Tuesday night, the USMNT defeated 17th-ranked Japan 2-0 at Lower.com Field in front of a crowd of 20,192 behind goals from forward Alex Zendejas and striker Folarin Balogun to close out the September window with a strong result against a World Cup-bound opponent and even the matchup’s all-time series.

Tuesday’s win is the 11th in Columbus for the U.S. Men’s National Team in 15 all-time matches played in the Ohio capital, including eight of its last nine. The program’s winning record in Columbus of 73.3 percent is the highest out of any city.

Mauricio Pochettino made five changes from the lineup that faced Korea Republic on Saturday in Harrison, New Jersey. Zendejas, Balogun, defenders Alex Freeman, Chris Richards and midfielder Cristian Roldan all earned the start Tuesday in Columbus after entering Saturday’s match against Korea as second-half substitutes.

Columbus Crew fullback Max Arfsten started at his home club stadium in his 12th cap for the USMNT. The 2025 MLS All-Star received a boisterous cheer from the Black & Gold faithful in attendance.

Also starting the match were the three most capped players in camp – forward Christian Pulisic, center back Tim Ream and midfielder Tyler Adams. Goalkeeper Matt Freese, in his ninth appearance, and Tristan Blackmon, fresh off his USMNT debut Saturday night, completed Pochettino’s starting lineup.

The United States began the game on the front foot, looking comfortable with three in the back, and the attackers worked together to get the ball into the opponent’s box just 90 seconds into the match. Freeman sprinted to chase down a beautifully chipped ball from Adams and sent a pacey, low cross into the box that the Japanese defense cleared away. One minute later, Japan progressed with a headed ball into space, which Arfsten shut down with a smart tackle. He knocked the ball out of bounds for the first corner kick of the night.

Another good defensive action from Arfsten, in combination with Ream, led to the first shot of the match for the United States in the seventh minute. High pressure from the defensive duo forced Japan to make a lackadaisical back pass into no man’s land. The U.S. pounced on the counterattack, and Balogun’s expert backheel traveled into the path of Pulisic. The forward carried the ball centrally to set up a right-footed shot from outside the box, but the strike sailed high.

The U.S. nearly converted in the 19th minute. Balogun and Arfsten worked together nicely on the left side of the 18-yard box, passing the ball in a tight area. Balogun squared his shoulders and took a shot on goal from close range that Japan goalkeeper Keisuke Osako blocked. Zendejas tried to nod in the high-bouncing rebound for the U.S., but Osako gathered himself for the save.

Zendejas would not be denied a second time, and in the 30th minute, the forward opened the scoring on the night. The U.S. moved the ball up the field with pace and found Arfsten on the wing. The Crew defender showed no fear on his club’s home turf and beat his defender 1v1 with a wicked stepover move. Arfsten rocketed a left-footed cross into the box where Zendejas lined up his shot. The clinical volley from the Texas native opened the scoring on the night, and the A-to-Z connection gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead.

Arfsten was credited with the assist, his fourth on the year, to send his fans in Columbus into a frenzy.

Freese made several stops in the first half to keep a clean sheet for the second straight half. The goalkeeper was called into action to stop Japan’s first shot of the night in the ninth minute, dropping to block a left-footed cross from midfielder Junya Ito that was curving toward goal. Two more stops from Freese in the 21st minute, on a dangerous header from midfielder Kaishu Sano inside the box, and in the 35th, after a takeaway nearly gifted an opportunity for Japan, brought his save total to four in the first half.

Leading by a goal, the United States continued to attack to start the second half. In the 54th minute, Pulisic weaved in and out of defenders on the dribble to set up a low left-footed strike from just beyond the corner of the six-yard box. Osako made a terrific save with his foot to keep the United States from doubling the lead – for the moment.

Balogun recorded the second goal in the 64th minute. Following a free kick around midfield, Pulisic capitalized on Japan taking time to organize defensively. The forward raced down the sideline on the dribble and played a through ball to Balogun making a strong, well-timed run in behind. Balogun slowed his pace to skillfully deliver a low strike into the far side netting to record his sixth international goal and extend the lead to 2-0.

Pochettino made a group substitution in the 66th minute, sending on Diego Luna, Sergiño Dest, Jack McGlynn, and Luca de la Torre. Zendejas, Adams, Pulisic and Arfsten exited the match.

The substitutes continued to attack and created several chances to bring the USMNT’s shot total to 19 on the night. In the 79th minute, McGlynn’s deflected shot was headed toward goal, but Osako’s leaping save prevented the United States from extending their lead. Again, McGlynn barely missed after he fired an absolute rocket in the 83rd minute that hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced away from the goal line. In the 86th, Downs, who subbed on for Balogun in the 79th minute, nearly scored following a glorious give-and-go inside the box from Luna.

The group returns to action in October for another two-match set against World Cup qualified opponents.

The USA will first host Ecuador, presented by AT&T, on Oct. 10 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Soccer will pay tribute to the Hispanic community, honoring both their cultural heritage and their passionate support for the U.S. team.

Four days later, the USMNT faces Australia, presented by American, at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. The match on Oct. 14 marks the first time the USMNT has played in Commerce City, Colorado since 2017.

Goal Scoring Rundown:

USA – Alex Zendejas (Max Arfsten), 30th minute: Arfsten beat his defender one-on-one on the left wing with a quick stepover move and created space to fire a left-footed cross. Zendejas lined up his left-footed strike just yards away the penalty spot and blasted a low bouncing volley into the lower left corner of the net to deliver the match’s opening goal. USA 1, JPN 0

USA – Folarin Balogun (Christian Pulisic), 64th minute: Following a foul on Japan, the United States was awarded a free kick around midfield. Pulisic raced down the pitch on the dribble and fed a ball to Balogun making a run inside the box. The striker used his left foot to deliver a low-driven shot from just beyond the corner of the six-yard box into the far side netting. USA 2, JPN 0 FINAL

Additional Notes:

• The assist on the second goal of the night was the 19th for Pulisic in his career, which ties him with Claudio Reyna and Clint Dempsey for fourth all-time in assists in USMNT history.
• Pulisic also ties Eric Wynalda for fourth all-time in USMNT goal contributions at 51 (31 goals, 19 assists). Pulisic has now recorded 17 goal contributions in his last 24 games.
• Zendejas’ 30th minute goal was the second of his international career and his first since March 24, 2023 against Grenada.
• Balogun’s goal in the 64th minute was the sixth of his international career and his first since June 27, 2024 against Panama in Copa America.
• His assist on the opening goal was Arfsten’s fourth for the USMNT, with all coming in 2025.
• Pulisic became the 30th player to reach 80 caps for the USMNT.
• Balogun and Cristian Roldan earned their first starts under Mauricio Pochettino.
• Balogun became the 17th different player to score in Mauricio Pochettino's 18 games as USMNT head coach. Zendejas was the 16th.
• The USMNT is now 2-2-0 (W-L-D) in four matches all-time against Japan.

- U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT -

Match: United States Men’s National Team vs. Japan
Date: September 9, 2025 
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Lower.com Field; Columbus, Ohio
Attendance: 20,192
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: 72 degrees, partly cloudy

Lineups: 

USA: 1-Matt Freese; 15-Tristan Blackmon (19-Nathan Harriel, 84), 3-Chris Richards, 13-Tim Ream (Capt.); 16-Alex Freeman, 4-Tyler Adams (2-Sergiño Dest, 66), 24-Cristian Roldan, 18-Max Arfsten (14-Luca de la Torre, 66); 17-Alex Zendejas (7-Diego Luna, 65), 20-Folarin Balogun (11-Damion Downs, 79), 10-Christian Pulisic (6-Jack McGlynn, 66)

Substitutes not used: 12-Jonathan Klinsmann, 5-Noahkai Banks, 8-Sebastian Berhalter, 9-Josh Sargent, 21-Tim Weah 

Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino 

JPN: 12-Keisuke Osako; 26-Henry Mochizuki (18-Shuto Machino, 73), 21-Kaishu Sano, 25-Hayato Araki; 16-Hiroki Sekine, 17-Joel Chima Fujita (15-Diachi Kamada, 62), 13-Yuito Suzuki (8-Takumi Minamino, 62), 5-Yuto Nagatomo (Capt.) (22-Ayumu Seko, 46); 14-Junya Ito, 19-Koki Ogawa (2-Yukinari Sugawara, 73), 11-Daizen Maeda (7-Kaoru Mitoma, 62)

Substitutes not used: 1-Zion Suzuki, 3-Tsuyoshi Watanabe, 4-Ko Itakura, 6-Wataru Endo, 9-Ayase Ueda, 10-Takefusa Kubo, 20-Kodai Sano, 23-Tomoki Hayakawa, 24-Mao Hosoya

Head coach: Hajime Moriyasu

Stats Summary: USA / JPN
Shots: 19 / 11
Shots on Goal: 11 / 6
Saves: 6 / 9
Corner Kicks: 3 / 6
Fouls: 1 / 2
Offside: 8 / 13

Officials: 

Referee: Bryan Lopez (GUA)
Assistant 1: Juan Topaz (GUA)
Assistant 2: Cristian Alvarado (GUA)
Fourth Official: Julio Luna (GUA)

Michelob Ultra Man of the Match: Alex Zendejas