The United States will look to salvage something from the September international break as they take on Japan from Columbus on Tuesday evening.
The USMNT fell to South Korea on Saturday in the month's first friendly, beaten by a 2-0 score in Harrison, NJ. Mauricio Pochettino claimed his team "was the better side" but couldn't finish their chances, out-shooting South Korea 17-5 but only managing five of those on target.
The defeat was the latest setback for Pochettino's buildup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer, now with only friendlies until the showcase tournament begins.
Japan, meanwhile, struggled to a 0-0 draw with Mexico to begin their September window, putting two of their nine shots on target in the drab 90 minutes in Oakland. Ranked 17th in the world, the Samurai Blue present the next chance for Pochettino to get a victory against a top-30-ranked opponent, having lost seven straight in charge of the USMNT.
Both sides are likely to make significant changes to their starting lineups as this game comes just three days after the previous one, so players bearing major club load or those with recent injuries could rotate out.
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USA vs. Japan lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, roster
Just like he did over the summer, Pochettino has called in a squad largely consisting of fringe players. He seemed to indicate speaking to the media that this was the last opportunity for these individuals to make an impression before the first-choice regulars return to the fold. It's likely that he makes significant changes from the South Korea defeat to this game, and he hinted as much in his fiery pre-match press conference.
Christian Pulisic is back with the USMNT after his controversial absence over the summer and played the full 90 minutes against South Korea, while Folarin Balogun is also back in the mix after missing significant time last season due to injury and poor form. Josh Sargent had another chance to show his national-team credentials amidst another hot start to the season with Norwich City, but he came up empty in 62 minutes in last week's defeat. Cristian Roldan was a late addition to the roster, while Sean Zawadzki pulled out of camp after suffering a knee injury in training.
Injury absences include Antonee Robinson, who has only just returned from offseason knee surgery. Patrick Agyemang has yet to make his debut for Derby County due to a hernia, while Malik Tillman was left off as he's only just made his Bayer Leverkusen debut due to a calf issue, and Ricardo Pepi has only seen one substitute appearance after returning from a knee injury. Pochettino will be wary of overusing Sergino Dest and Balogun, both of whom are only just back from long-term injuries of their own.
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USA predicted starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Klinsmann (GK) — Dest, Banks, Richards, Arfsten — De la Torre, Zawadzki — Zendejas, Luna, Weah — Balogun.
Full USA roster
Goalkeepers: Roman Celentano, Matt Freese, Jonathan Klinsmann.
Defenders: Max Arfsten, Tristan Blackmon, Noahkai Banks, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Nathan Harriel, Tim Ream, Chris Richards.
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Luca de la Torre, Jack McGlynn, Cristian Roldan.
Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Damion Downs, Diego Luna, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Timothy Weah, Alex Zendejas.
Japan have brought a full-strength squad to the United States for their pair of September friendlies, with European-based stars Wataru Endo, Takefusa Kubo, Kaoru Mitoma, Daichi Kamada, Daizen Maeda, and Takumi Minamino in tow.
Bayern Munich defender Hiroki Ito has been missing since March due to a fractured foot, while domestic-based midfielder Koki Kumasaka is still recovering from a torn ACL. Defender Tomoya Ando was called in but withdrew from the squad due to injury.
With both sides likely to rotate due to the quick turnaround, the likes of Daizen Maeda, Junya Ito, and Yukinari Sugawara could come in after coming off the bench against Mexico.
Japan predicted starting lineup (3-4-3, right to left): Suzuki (GK) — Watanabe, Itakura, Seko — Ito, Endo, Sugawara, Mitoma — Kubo, Ogawa, Maeda
Full Japan roster
Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako, Zion Suzuki
Defenders: Hayato Araki, Ko Itakura, Yuto Nagatomo, Hiroki Sekine, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara
Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Ritsu Doan, Joel Chima Fujita, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Takefusa Kubo, Takumi Minamino, Karou Mitoma, Henry Heroki Mochizuki, Kaishu Sano, Kodai Sano
Forwards: Mao Hosoya, Shuto Machino, Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Yuito Suzuki, Ayase Ueda.
USA vs. Japan match details
- Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
- Location: Lower.com Field (Columbus, OH)
- Competition: International friendly