From A to Z: Arfsten, Zendejas Combine to Score Opening Goal for USMNT
His game-winning goal in the win over Japan was his second for Alex Zendejas in his international career; Max Arfsten recorded his fourth assist
COLUMBUS, Ohio – “Things were clicking.”
That was the phrase several USMNT players used to describe the performance in the 2-0 win over Japan Tuesday night. The U.S. attack looked sprightly, players moving the ball with pace and precision down the pitch throughout the night, eventually leading to 19 shots and 55 percent of possession for the United States.
The opening goal from forward Alex Zendejas exemplifies the synchronicity elegantly. After knocking on the door and being on the front foot early in the match, the USMNT earned their reward in the 30th minute. With the U.S. driving into their attacking third, center back Tim Ream played the ball out wide to Max Arfsten. The wingback dribbled once with his right foot then flashed a swift stepover move to push the ball down the left side of the pitch. Then, he fired a decent, left-footed cross – right where Zendejas was waiting.
“For some reason, I knew he was going to go one-on-one,” Zendejas said. “Our job as forwards and wingers is to get in the box. Luckily, I was in the right spot at the right time.”
In that very spot inside the box, Zendejas floated between two Japanese defenders. When Arfsten’s cross arrived, the forward caught it right on the laces and blasted a left-footed volley into the back of the net.
The finish was the second international goal for Zendejas, who made a statement in his 13th career cap. September camp was the first of 2025 for Zendejas, though he’s played for head coach Mauricio Pochettino before. The 27-year-old appeared in each of the first four matches for Pochettino last fall.
For some of his U.S. teammates, the familiarity goes back a lot further.
“I’ve played with him since we were 14 years old, so I've always known what a great player he is,” said forward Christian Pulisic. “He really showed this camp something different, so I'm really happy for him. He deserves it. He's a really technical player, really clean on the ball, and he gives a little something different. He has a direct style. He's really quick, and he can find final passes. He does a lot for us as well.”
When asked about Zendejas during the post-match press conference, Pochettino said that the Club América attacker gives him doubt – in a good way. If Pochettino already had an idea about who his forwards are going to be for the World Cup next summer, Zendejas gave him reason to keep his name to the mix, which was Pochettino’s whole approach to this September camp. He built the roster to provide players the opportunity to compete and shine at the international level.
“Now, with this type of performance, he's in the race for the roster of the World Cup,” Pochettino said.
The set-up man for the Zendejas’ goal was none other than the Columbus’ own. Arfsten knows Lower.com Field well, playing 62 matches for the Crew since 2023, including a victory in the 2023 MLS Cup. A significant portion of the 20,192 in attendance for USA-Japan recognized No. 18 in red, white and blue. The Crew fans gave Arfsten a warm welcome when his name was announced in the starting lineup, and the volume raised whenever Arfsten got a touch on the ball or took a shot.
And the wingback put on a show in front of a home crowd – showing bravery in 1v1 situations, combining with teammates like Folarin Balogun in dangerous areas and hustling on the defensive end to disrupt Japan’s attempts to carry the ball toward goal.
Fans who followed the USMNT this summer know what Arfsten can do. The summer was career-shifting for the 24-year-old fullback. He played significant minutes in the Gold Cup, starting all but one of the tournament games for the U.S., and earned his first selection to the MLS All-Star Team.
“He’s a player that we’ve believed in from Day One,” Pochettino said. “His character, his personality, the characteristics, how he is as a player – it's a combo that we really love.”
Pochettino said the potential for Arfsten is “massive.” And if his fast rise is any indication, that’s certainly true. Earlier in 2025, Arfsten earned his first call-up to the National Team. Now, he’s setting up teammates for difference-making goals and becoming a consistent contributor, tacking on more to his year-long totals of four assists and one goal in 12 caps.
“He’s doing fantastic,” Pochettino said.