USMNT Player Ratings: Folarin Balogun and Alex Zendejas stand out in 2-0 win over Japan

After Saturday's loss to South Korea, the United States were in desperate need of a win. They needed vibes.

They got all that on Tuesday night in Columbus. Playing against a fully-rotated Japan side, the USMNT weren't just dominant. They were fun, cutting through the Samurai Blue midfield with crisp passing to create real, quality chances, the type of chances they've been starved for recently.

Let's dive into the individual performances.

Matt Freese - 7.5

Matt Freese continues to step up when called on, making a few spectacular saves to keep Japan off the board. His late reaction to parry a cross after anticipating a touch early in the first half was particularly impressive. The No. 1 job really feels like his to lose over the next nine months.

Stock: Up

Tim Ream - 7.0

The 37-year-old showed why he's still so unassailable in this team. He read the game so calmly and was always a step ahead of the play. In possession, though, he was fantastic, casually playing through pressure to find feet in midfield, and even pushing up into the attack at times. He looks like a lock to start next summer, still.

Stock: Up

Chris Richards - 7.0

Chris Richards was solid in the center of the backline. He read the game incredibly well, cutting out chances before they even materialized, and defended well in the open field. He was composed on the ball and set a foundation for a lot of the on-ball work the USMNT were able to do. This team is so much better when he's on the field.

Stock: Up

Tristan Blackmon - 6.5

After a really poor outing against South Korea, the Vancouver Whitecaps defender looked exponentially improved on Tuesday. Playing on the right side of the back three, Tristan Blackmon was assured defensively and got forward to good effect, pushing forward into midfield at times.

Stock: Up

Max Arfsten - 7.0

Finally given a chance to play in a more natural wingback role, Max Arfsten excelled on his home pitch, especially when he was able to attack a defender 1-v-1. His ability to cut inside on his left foot with equal comfort to crossing on his left makes him unpredictable, but he's also clean on the ball and is a net positive in the attack, as was evidenced by his assist to Alex Zendejas.

Jedi Robinson is the unquestioned starter when healthy, but Arfsten is making a case to be included as a more attacking option when needed.

Stock: Up

Tyler Adams - 6.0

It wasn't a bad performance from Tyler Adams by any means. He didn't lose possession and put in some good challenges. But his inability – or perhaps unwillingness – to really drive the ball forward in possession was noticeable and frustrating on more than one occasion.

Stock: Unchanged

Cristian Roldan - 6.5

There's been a vocal corner of the USMNT fanbase clamoring for Cristian Roldan to be involved. One of the best No. 6s in MLS and a standout at the Club World Cup, the Seattle Sounders man didn't look at all out of place on Tuesday. He was tidy on the ball, circulated possession effectively, and always seemed to pop up in the right spots. All important stuff for a player fighting for a roster spot. He’ll need to clean up some of the giveaways that popped up as the match went on, though.

Stock: Up

Alex Freeman - 6.0

The young Orlando City fullback looked more comfortable in a back three, able to push forward and play to his strengths in attack. His service wasn't ideal to start the match, but he was a consistent outlet in possession and his deliveries improved as the night went on. He had a really tasty chipped cross to Damion Downs late in the second half that probably deserved a goal.

Stock: Up

Christian Pulisic - 7.5

This was a significantly better showing from Christian Pulisic. Playing nominally as a left winger in a 3-4-3, the AC Milan attacker had as much freedom as he could ask for underneath the striker, drifting from side to side to pick out pockets of space.

After a few mishit shots early, he settled into the game, and dropped into midfield to pick up the ball before driving at the defense. His assist to Folarin Balogun was exquisite.

Stock: Up

Folarin Balogun - 8.0

This was a reassuring performance to see from a USMNT No. 9. Even before his goal, the AS Monaco man was heavily involved. He ran the channels well, got wide to combine with wingers, made the right runs in the box, and constantly got on the ball in dangerous spots, even if his finishing let him down a few times.

The goal capped it all off. Folarin Balogun made a great back-shoulder run to receive a pass from Pulisic, and his weak-foot finish off the post was gorgeous. He's so clearly a step above any of the other options right now. Hopefully he can make the goal scoring a more consistent part of his game at the international level.

Stock: Up

Alejandro Zendejas - 7.0

The Club América took a while to get into the game. In fact, a lot of his early involvements were frustrating. However, his finish to open the scoring was absolutely incredible, and after the goal he played with a lot more confidence. Some of his interchanges with Pulisic and Balogun were really exciting. He deserves a chance to play in October.

Stock: Up

Substitutes

Sergiño Dest - 6.5

On for the final 30 minutes, Sergiño Dest was a nominal left wingback, but played more as a winger in possession. He sat in a giant pocket of space on the edge of the penalty area, and had a few enticing cutbacks that should have resulted in more. Good vibes.

Stock: Unchanged

Jack McGlynn - 7.0

The Lower.com Field crossbar is still shaking after the absolute thunderbastard Jack McGlynn hit it with.

The Houston Dynamo midfielder made a major difference off the bench, carrying the ball forward from midfield, combining really well in and around the box, and nearly scoring a pair of goals. His shot off the bar would have been an all-timer of a USMNT goal.

I like what I see from McGlynn. He’s a stud. Technically really strong, and can release a shot with great accuracy and speed. If he’s played in the center of the park and NOT on the wings, his strengths are elevated and weaknesses hidden. Needs to leave MLS ASAP. pic.twitter.com/GwQ8MLJMDI

— The Bolivian Yank (@TheBolivianYank) September 10, 2025

Stock: Up

Diego Luna - 6.0

On for the final 30-odd minutes, the Real Salt Lake playmaker nearly grabbed an assist after a tight one-two with Damion Downs. He had a few sloppy touches, but overall was a net positive in the final third.

Stock: Unchanged

Luca de la Torre - 6.5

Luca de la Torre won't stand out as one of the better performers, but it's not a coincidence that the USMNT really started controlling the ball once he got on. He kept possession well, looked really comfortable next to Cristian Roldan, and was more progressive than Tyler Adams.

Stock: Unchanged

Damion Downs - N/A

The Southampton attacker didn't play long enough to get a rating, but should have had at least one goal. He mis-controlled a teasing cross from Alex Freeman, and slotted a gorgeous return pass from Diego Luna right at the 'keeper. Needs to be more efficient.

Stock: Unchanged

Nathan Harriel - N/A

The Philadelphia Union defender came on for the final six minutes, and put in a solid crunching tackle in his own box.

Stock: Unchanged

Manager

Mauricio Pochettino - 7.5

This was a really, really encouraging performance from Mauricio Pochettino and his staff. The switch in formation made a huge difference, and seemed to put the players in more comfortable, natural spots. Christian Pulisic, especially, looked much more effective and able to impact the game, while the backline was much more settled than in the past.

It's a single game against a less-than-full-strength Japan. Still, there was zero optimism heading into this match. With precious few matches to turn public sentiment around before the World Cup, a win like this was needed.

Now's the time to end the experimenting, figure out what the best roster is, and really start drilling down. The October roster and results will be huge.

Stock: Up