Post-match: USA v. Japan - September 9, 2025 - International Friendly

Tonight’s #USMNT friendly against Japan gives Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent another audition for the starting striker job at the 2026 World Cup.
"It’s a huge opportunity.” ⁦@FOXSoccer⁩: https://t.co/q0M7zbo5Ct

— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) September 9, 2025

Tonight’s USMNT friendly against Japan gives Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent another audition for the starting striker job at the 2026 World Cup. "It’s a huge opportunity.”

 

F*ck yes. Team was fantastic today for 90 minutes. And I won my bet.

 

@Sebsasour always does this in the PBP threads...

 

I think he’s not on the World Cup roster unless Pepi or Balogun are hurt.

 

What is that shit even supposed to mean. This MLS vs everyone crap is such a dumb talking point.

I am not aware of any other country which constantly talks about this stuff. They just focus on the team and the players individually.

 

As long as he plays like he has at Norwich, he's going to be in the conversation, and will get call-ups. He might even make the final roster.

But he's not on Balogun's level. He's not on healthy Pepi's level, either. He's a candidate for the third CF slot.

 

Yeah you bring Wright and he gives you cover at two positions.

 

Unless you count Brian White, I think all of the candidates for that role are in the same league…Agyemang, Sarge, Downs, Dike, and Wright. That makes it much easier to compare them.

Did I miss someone?

 

Too bad Columbus isn't a World Cup host city. We'd could probably win the World Cup there. lol.

 

My take away.

1. Freeman is growing into a spot each match.
2. Don't discount Blackmon. He looked way better tonight and much more comfortable in a back 4 with Richards and Ream. He may well earn a spot.
3. Freese solidifying his current #1.
4. We are just better suited for 3 ATB. Sure it depends on the opponent but it gives our outside backs the ability to do what they are really good at and that is attack then support defense as needed. So much better for Arfsten and Freeman and they both gave Japan fits.
5. They really worked the ball all around the 18 finding ways to penetrate.
6. Balo is my #9. Pepi not out of it but he's going to have to shine. Sargent is just going to have a tough road to get there..

Yes Japan had a couple of solid attempts but the only reason this match was that close was the Japan keeper was crazy good.

Now the best thing IMO. We actually showed tonight that we DO have some quality depth.

 

Trying to understand what this means. He thinks the MLS players were of the same standard and the euro guys?

 

Yes! For all the talk about technique, THIS is the weakness of the American player. And IMO it’s what is needed to unlock Pulisic, attacking partners who know how to do all that.

I enjoy watching Luna because of his savvy. He’s not just smart but clever. You can just tell the players that grew up watching soccer with their dad and his friends. Zendejas looks cut from the same cloth. Reyna too.

 

How to letter it is irrelevant. They subbed out their entire XI from Mexico. Was nice to see us finally look good, but the competition was such that you shouldn’t draw any major conclusions. For example, assuming tonight means we are better with three in the back is fool’s gold. The competition level was low.

 

So basically a summer January camp…

 

Is there a third striker spot? There often is ... but not always.

 

Great goal by Zendejas from a great cross, but Luna was one of few decent looking attackers against Korea and put a ball on an absolute plate against Japan. Should have at least 1 assist.

But so should Berhalter, probably...

He's good.

Agreed.

Both wingback or whatever were good IMO. But there's still too much space for my liking due in no small part to the 3ATB... space behind wingbacks, space in midfield due to 2 CMs having to do too much, and it's where at least a considerable about of the Japanese threat came from. I think these things can be ironed out in time, and I'm curious how persistent Poch is with the 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 or whatever it is. October should be very interesting.

 

Wright can't play Pochettino winger, though. I mean, you could adjust for that, but he's not going to do what Pulisic and Zendejas did today at ALL.

I'd go the other way -- Weah or one of the wingers is my third striker.

 

Balogun is our best 9 unless Pepi ramps up.

 

?

 

I am stereotyping, but I'd be willing to bet both Luna and Zendejas probably overindexed versus the rest of the team on pickup ball.

 

Japan was much better than anyone we face in January. Most of their midfield is playing in the Bundesliga this year. It's just young and inexperienced.

In January, we usually get the Serbian domestic squad or a Costa Rican team that hasn't played ball in months. The Serbian-types can be very well drilled and organized but lack the upside which is why most of those games end pretty scoreless on the opponent end.

 

I’m not going to get bogged down in the A squad vs B/C squad stuff tonight (although I know that context does matter somewhat).

this team has been starving us of quality, so I choose to enjoy this feeling and feast on the good scraps they gave us tonight