USA 2-0 Japan Player Ratings: Christian Pulisic Rated 8.5/10 as Zendejas and Balogun Fire USA to a 2-0 Win

United States secured a confident 2-0 victory over Japan in a Friendly International encounter. The match, which you can read more about here, was a tale of American efficiency against Japanese frustration. From our perspective, the US controlled the tempo from the early stages and never looked truly threatened.

The breakthrough came on the half-hour mark. Álex Zendejas found the back of the net, capitalizing on some sharp attacking play. It felt inevitable. The USA were knocking on the door, and Japan's defense finally buckled under the pressure. What stood out to us was the poise the home side showed, even after taking the lead.

The second half continued in a similar vein. While Japan tried to find a way back into the contest, their efforts were largely disjointed. The nail in the coffin was delivered by Folarin Balogun, who scored in the 64th minute to double the advantage. Japan had their moments, forcing a few good saves from Matt Freese, but they lacked the clinical edge required to make a difference. It was, all in all, a well-deserved win for the United States.

Here are the USA vs Japan Player Ratings

United States Player Ratings vs Japan

Here are United States Player Ratings vs Japan

Goalkeeper

Matt Freese - 7.5: A very solid performance from the man between the sticks. He made four saves, including a couple of crucial ones to preserve his clean sheet. His command of the area was impressive, and despite one error that led to a shot, he recovered well. We noticed his confidence grew as the game went on, making him a reliable last line of defense.

Defenders

Chris Richards - 7.0: A tidy and composed display from the center-back. He was strong in the tackle and his distribution was excellent, completing 89% of his passes. He wasn't overly tested for long periods but did his job effectively when called upon. A professional, no-fuss performance that contributed significantly to the clean sheet.

Tim Ream - 6.5: The captain led by example, though it wasn't his most dominant performance. His experience was evident in his positioning and his passing out from the back was generally good. However, he struggled a bit in the air, losing more aerial duels than he won. From our perspective, he looked a step slow at times but made up for it with his football intelligence.

Tristan Blackmon - 7.0: Extremely reliable on the right side of the defense. His pass accuracy of 96% was phenomenal, showing great composure on the ball. He wasn't a huge threat going forward but he didn't need to be. Defensively sound, he kept his side of the pitch locked down until he was substituted late in the game.

Midfielders

Tyler Adams - 6.5: A typically industrious performance from Adams in his 65 minutes on the pitch. He was a disruptive force in the midfield, breaking up play and recycling possession effectively. He wasn't spectacular, but he provided the solid foundation that allowed the more creative players to shine. A solid, if unspectacular, outing.

Alexander Freeman - 6.0: It was a difficult night for Freeman. He seemed to struggle with the physicality of the game, winning only 17% of his duels. He lost possession a few too many times and was caught offside once. While his work rate was there, he just couldn't seem to impose himself on the match.

Maximilian Arfsten - 7.5: A really bright and creative performance. He delivered a superb assist for the second goal and was a constant source of intelligent passes in the final third. His link-up play was excellent, and he rarely wasted a pass. What stood out to us was his vision and ability to pick out a teammate under pressure.

Cristian Roldán - 6.5: A mixed bag from Roldan. His energy and ball recovery were fantastic, as he put in a real shift for the full 90 minutes. However, he was a bit sloppy in possession at times and was dispossessed on a couple of occasions. He created a couple of chances but needed a bit more composure.

Forwards

Christian Pulisic - 8.5: Our man of the match. In just 65 minutes, Pulisic was the architect of the American attack. He registered an assist, created three chances, and had defenders on the back foot whenever he got the ball. His direct running and creativity were a joy to watch. He was the difference-maker and the team looked less potent after he was subbed off.

Álex Zendejas - 8.0: A fantastic and eventful game for the attacker. He scored the vital opening goal with a composed finish and was a constant thorn in Japan's side. He had several shots and was always looking to make things happen. The yellow card was the only blemish on an otherwise superb and impactful performance.

Folarin Balogun - 7.5: Led the line superbly and got the goal his performance deserved. Although he missed one big chance, his movement was intelligent, and he linked up well with the midfielders. His finish for the second goal was clinical, taken from a difficult angle. A very encouraging display from the striker.

Substitutes

Diego Luna, Sergiño Dest, Jack McGlynn, Luca de la Torre, Damion Downs, Nathan Harriel - 6.5: The substitutes came on and helped the team see out the game comfortably. Dest had a shot on target and looked lively, while the others kept the team's shape and energy levels high. They didn't have to change the game, but they ensured there was no drop-off in intensity.

Manager

M. Pochettino Trossero - 8.0: His tactics were spot on. The team was well-drilled, balanced, and played with confidence. They pressed effectively and exploited Japan's weaknesses. His starting lineup was perfect, and his substitutions helped manage the game to a comfortable conclusion. A great day at the office for the manager.

Japan Player Ratings vs United States

Here are Japan Player Ratings vs United States

Goalkeeper

Keisuke Osako - 6.0: It was a tough night for the Japanese keeper. He made three saves but was ultimately helpless for both goals. His distribution was a bit erratic, with a pass accuracy of just 58%. He did what he could, but his defense left him exposed on the key moments that decided the match.

Defenders

Yuto Nagatomo - 5.5: The veteran captain had a quiet first half before being substituted. He wasn't directly at fault for anything major but offered little in terms of defensive solidity or forward thrust. It felt like the game was passing him by a little. A forgettable 45 minutes for the experienced full-back.

Hiroki Sekine - 5.0: A difficult outing for the defender. He was dribbled past and struggled to contain the fluid American attack. He misplaced a few passes and never looked comfortable. From our perspective, he was one of the weaker links in a backline that was under pressure for most of the game.

Hayato Araki - 5.5: He battled hard but was part of a defense that conceded twice and looked shaky throughout. He made seven ball recoveries but also lost key duels and looked uncertain in his positioning at times. He simply had too much to handle against a superior attacking force.

Henry Heroki Mochizuki - 6.0: An interesting performance. He actually had one of Japan's better chances with a header on target. Defensively, however, he was suspect. He was dribbled past twice and struggled with the movement of the US forwards. He showed some fight but lacked the defensive discipline required.

Midfielders

Daizen Maeda - 6.0: Full of running, as is always the case with Maeda. He won a surprising number of duels and worked tirelessly for the team. However, his final product was completely missing. He offered next to nothing in an attacking sense before he was taken off. A performance of high effort but low impact.

Joel Chima Fujita - 5.0: He was completely overrun in the midfield battle. Getting dribbled past three times in just 62 minutes tells the story. He couldn't get a foothold in the game and struggled to disrupt the USA's rhythm. A learning experience for the young midfielder.

Kaishu Sano - 6.5: One of Japan's better performers on a poor night for the team. He never stopped battling in the midfield, recovering the ball five times and making some important tackles. He tried to get his team moving forward, but he was fighting a losing battle. His effort was commendable.

Forwards

Yuito Suzuki - 6.5: Looked like one of the few Japanese players who could create something. He had a shot on target and created a big chance for a teammate. His energy was good, but his performance was marred by a needless yellow card for a bad foul. A promising but ultimately frustrating display.

Junya Ito - 4.5: A disastrous performance from Ito, and our worst-rated player on the pitch. His error led directly to a goal, a cardinal sin for any player. To make matters worse, he also missed a big chance that could have changed the complexion of the game. It just wasn't his night.

Koki Ogawa - 5.5: Led the line but was largely ineffective. He was physically present but lacked the quality to trouble the US defenders. He got a shot on target but never looked like a real goal threat. The yellow card for a poor challenge summed up a frustrating evening for him.

Substitutes

Ayumu Seko, Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma, Daichi Kamada, Yukinari Sugawara, Shuto Machino - 6.0: The Japanese bench was emptied in an attempt to change the game, but none of the substitutes could make a real impact. They brought some fresh legs but the team's overall lack of cohesion and cutting edge remained. They couldn't turn the tide against a superior opponent.

Manager

H. Moriyasu - 5.0: His team was thoroughly outplayed and out-thought. The initial tactical setup was ineffective, as his side was passive and easily broken down. His substitutions failed to change the flow of the match. A performance that will raise some serious questions for the manager to answer.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match is Christian Pulisic