US defeats Japan 2-0 in Columbus as Pochettino evaluates players

Alejandro Zendejas scored in the 30th minute and Folarin Balogun added a second-half goal as the United States beat a mostly second-string Japan side 2-0 on Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio, snapping a seven-game winless streak against top-25 opponents and providing a measured response after a 2-0 loss to South Korea three days earlier. The match was the second of an expanded international window that U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino is using to evaluate players ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The 15th-ranked Americans controlled much of the game at Lower.com Field, which was reported sold out with 20,192 in attendance. Zendejas finished a Max Arfsten cross with a left-footed volley from near the penalty spot in the 30th minute. Balogun converted a Christian Pulisic through pass in the 64th to seal the victory and register his sixth international goal. Associated Press match statistics showed the U.S. held 55 percent possession, outshot Japan 19-11 and had 11 shots on target to Japan’s six.

Japan, ranked 17th, started an entirely different lineup from its 0-0 draw with Mexico on Saturday, with eight players having 10 or fewer international appearances. Several regulars entered after...