Three things the USMNT learned from matches against South Korea and Japan

The September international window is over and the US Men’s National Team produced mixed results in their friendly matches against South Korea and Japan.

While Mauricio Pochettino’s team were disappointing in defeat to South Korea, a comfortable 2-0 win over Japan hinted at a group of players potentially headed in the right direction. Here are three things we learned from the two games from a USMNT point of view.

A back three system could work for the USMNT

Pochettino made his biggest tactical shift since taking over as USMNT head coach for the match against Japan, setting up his team in a back three with wing backs. Having an extra defender helped the US stay solid at the back with Max Arfsten and Alex Freeman more comfortable in a more advanced position higher up the pitch.

The new system also helped create space for Christian Pulisic and Alex Zendejas further forward with the pair deployed as dual number 10s with the freedom to drift. Japan heavily rotated their team for the match in Columbus, but Pochettino might have stumbled on a framework to build around for the World Cup.

Japan also played with a back three which allowed the USMNT to match up man-for-man all over the pitch. This made things easier for Pochettino’s team. It’s also a factor that the USMNT’s roster leant itself to a back three with the midfield short of options. Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Pochettino recycle the formation.

The number nine role is Balogun’s to lose

The USMNT number nine pool has been a blob for years. Gregg Berhalter used three different starting centre forwards in just four games at the 2022 World Cup and the picture has only gotten murkier since. The games against South Korea and Japan, however, might have been a landmark moment in Folarin Balogun’s international career.

Balogun has been highly rated ever since Berhalter persuaded the former Arsenal forward to play for the USA in 2023 when he could have picked England or Nigeria. However, injuries and a general lack of consistency have prevented Balogun from building any sort of momentum for club and country. 

Against Japan from the start, Balogun was effective at attacking open space. He linked up well with Pulisic – see the USA’s second goal – and was energetic when pressing from the front. Ricardo Pepi is still a factor, but the number nine role is now Balogun’s to lose. 

Roldan could be part of Pochettino’s midfield solution

Cristian Roldan was a late call-up to Pochettino’s squad for the friendlies against South Korea and Japan. The midfielder hadn’t played for the USMNT since 2023, but his performance for the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup final against Inter Miami apparently caught the eye of the national team manager.

Roldan made the most of his start against Japan. The 30-year-old was a commanding presence in the centre of the pitch, making more touches and completing more passes than any other USA player. Roldan has the sort of skill set Pochettino has so far lacked as part of his midfield unit.

Weston McKennie and Johnny Cardoso could return to the squad for the October friendly matches against Ecuador and Australia, but Roldan showed enough in the win over Japan to suggest he should keep his place. He could be an important component for the US at the 2026 World Cup.