USMNT 2-0 Japan: Zendejas, Roldan and Freese Shine in Friendly Win

The United States men’s national team earned a desperately needed 2-0 friendly victory over Japan in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday night to close their September international window.

Yes, this was only a friendly played on home soil against a heavily rotated Japan squad. Anything other than a comfortable win would’ve been disappointing, even as the USA also played with a somewhat experimental squad.

But with pressure mounting on manager Mauricio Pochettino after seven consecutive defeats against opponents currently in the top 30 of the FIFA World Rankings, it quiets the noise heading into the October and November windows.

Maybe more importantly, it solidified the breakout of three potential long-term USMNT contributors who were previously on the periphery of next year's World Cup picture.

Alejandro Zendejas

The 27-year-old Club América man was a late scratch from the June roster that played a pair of friendlies and in the Concacaf Gold Cup.

But he proved his value as a potential attacking midfield piece over both matches of the September window.

We’ll remember his excellently taken goal against Japan, but he also provided improved link-up play when he entered late in a 2-0 loss to South Korea on Saturday, and nearly created a consolation goal for striker Folarin Balogun.

Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna has been a fun story, and he may yet make the final USMNT squad as well. But 2026 might still be a little too early in the 22-year-old’s development path.

Zendejas, on the other hand, looks unphased at this level, and he should be plenty comfortable in the global spotlight, given that he already plays for the biggest club on the continent.

Cristian Roldan

The versatile midfielder had gone more than two years without making a USMNT appearance, and had perhaps been unfairly singled out as an example of the negatives of relying on MLS-based players rather than those playing abroad.

But the 30-year-old’s confidence and form have hit another level following an impressive individual display at the FIFA Club World Cup, and now there are rumors of a late-career move to Inter Milan in January.

Once considered the obvious inferior option to Tyler Adams in defensive midfield, over two matches he showcased traits that continue to elude the Bournemouth man: namely, being able to progress the ball efficiently from a defensive midfield role.

That the press felt far more effective against Japan may have also owed to his involvement from the start as compared to coming off the bench vs. South Korea.

Matt Freese

Neither Matt Turner nor Zack Steffen, the other active goalkeepers who have worn the U.S. No. 1 shirt in recent years, were called into this camp, and it’s beginning to look like the starting job is Freese’s to lose.

Although the U.S. eventually eased to victory, Freese was excellent when he had to be, making six saves to preserve the clean sheet, with most of those coming early as the Japanese began the match on the front foot.

The New York City FC man has now made eight consecutive starts for the Yanks, and with each one begins to look more comfortable with the responsibility. His lack of big-time European experience could give Pochettino pause, but even that could change if the right suitor comes along in January.

Freese is also just 27, younger for a goalkeeper than it is for field players. If he does earn the No. 1 USA shirt, it could be his for a long time.