USA beats Japan 2-0 on Road to FIFA World Cup 2026

The USMNT win 2-0 versus Japan in a test game in Columbus, Ohio, in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The team of Mauricio Pochettino shows a new face as the USA head-coach made changes in tactics and personnel. The new 3-4-2-1 formation gives more stability in defense, overloads the middle of the field, and compliments USA players’ abilities better.

Pochettino Changes to 3-4-2-1 Formation

At the end of the Korea game, Mauricio Pochettino already gave us a glimpse of what was about to come next. The USMNT changed to a 3-4-2-1 formation, giving the team more defensive stability and more options to pass the ball. Team USA also started versus Japan in a 3-4-2-1. Chris Richards from Crystal Palace completes the three center backs with Tim Ream and Tristan Blackmon. Max Arfsten showed a convincing performance at the Gold Cup on the left side, earning him another chance to compete for a World Cup roster spot. With Alex Freeman started another young MLS prospect as a right wing-back. The center in front of the three CBs is knitted tight by two physical, enduring players with great passing skills. The two players behind the single forward, link midfield and attack, creating chances as well as scoring themselves. Balogun showed the robustness of a strong target man securing the ball in the box and scoring the winning goal. This job can also be done by Sargent, Wright, or Downs.  

USA beats Japan 2-0 to prepare for FIFA World Cup 2026. Head-coach Pochettino changes to a 3-4-2-1 formation, giving the USMNT more stability, organization, and attacking options.

USA Defense Reason for beating Japan

The defense of Team USA was a big reason for the victory over Japan. Defense wins championships, also in soccer. After the Gold Cup in June, one of my conclusions was that the USMNT shows more defensive stability with three CBs. Three months later, Coach Pochettino changed to a 3-4-2-1 formation. The three CBs Tim Ream, Tristan Blackmon and Chris Richards kept the space tight and made it hard for Japan to combine. Without ball possession, the wingbacks drop back to a line of five defenders, making space tighter and shutting down the sides. At the same time, the two AMs drop wide to form a line of four with the two CMs. Forming these two lines of defense gives Team USA more defensive stability and narrows the space for the opponent.

The USMNT without possession, dropping deep and forming two lines of five and four players. The wingbacks completing a back five, while the AMs -- here McGlynn and Luna -- drop wide, forming a line of four with the CMs.

Clear pressing patterns give more defensive organization. In the Korea games it sometimes seemed not clear which player marks who. Shaping to a line of five and a line of four when without possession, is straight forward. A high press, such as winning the ball before scoring the first goal, can bring Team USA in promising goal-scoring positions if winning possession. Falling deep and forming two lines can be advisable versus elite teams, and in case the high press gets broken. The USA defense is the reason for beating Japan and keeping a clean sheet.

Team USA Overloading the Midfield

In Pochettino’s 3-4-2-1 approach the USA overloads the midfield with players. Two hard-running wingbacks increase the number of midfield players to six, outnumbering most teams. Furthermore, Pochettino overloads the center of the field with two CMs and two AMs, outnumbering most opponents in this very critical area of the field also. Outnumbering your opponent means more free passing options available to your team. This increases your team’s chances to keep possession, score a goal, and win the game.

The USMNT has a variety of players on the CM position. In Pochettino’s 3-4-2-1, the CMs need great passing skills, vision, and must be hard-running and physical robust. Tyler Adams and Winston McKennie are perfect for this position. But with Roldan, Berhalter, De La Torre, Musah, and Johnny, there are more options with similar skillset.

In the 3-4-2-1, the two AM must be versatile. In possession, they link midfield and attack by creating chances and scoring themselves. The AM must have great passing, dribbling, and shooting skills. Depending on the individual skillset, the AM drops deep to pass and combine the ball, or drops wide, accelerates, dribbles, and finishes themselves, or holds position and becomes a second forward. On top of their technical abilities, the AM is also the first line of defense. Dropping in position, marking your opponent, and try to regain possession are the defensive duties of an attacking midfielder. In the game versus Japan, Pulisic and Zendejas fitted the AM role perfectly. More options are Luna, Weah, Reyna, Tillman, Pepi, and Brendan Aaronson.

USA on Road to FIFA World Cup 2026

It seems that USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino has found a strategy and formation in which players can thrive, show their strengths, and unfold their potentials. The World Cup roster is taking shape, more and more. In the next test games versus Ecuador, Australia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, it will be important to have all potential roster players available. The number of potential roster players gets smaller, and players develop automatism playing with each other. Having a well interacting team will be crucial for the USA’s success next year. Let’s hope that San Diego local player Luca De La Torre will be part of the USA roster at the FIFA World Cup 2026.