Overview

• Alejandro Zendejas scored in the 30th minute from a Max Arfsten cross, and Folarin Balogun added a 64th-minute finish off a Christian Pulisic through-ball.
• Goalkeeper Matt Freese recorded a clean sheet with six saves before a sellout crowd at Columbus’s Lower.com Field.
• Japan, ranked No. 17, changed all 11 starters from its draw with Mexico and started a lineup heavy on less-experienced players.
• Mauricio Pochettino deployed a back three featuring Chris Richards, Tim Ream and Tristan Blackmon with wingbacks Arfsten and Alex Freeman in a 3-4-2-1 look.
• Pochettino asked that criticism be directed at him and said Zendejas strengthened his World Cup roster case, with Ecuador on Oct. 10 and Australia on Oct. 14 up next.