The United States defeated Japan 2-0 in an international friendly on Tuesday at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.

In the first half, Zendejas volleyed home. In the second half, Balogun scored from a difficult angle, while Koki Ogawa and McGlynn both hit the crossbar with long-range shots. Ultimately, the United States defeated Japan 2-0 and returned to winning ways.

First Half

In the 18th minute, Christian Pulisic invertedly cuts back a pass from the edge of the byline at the left side of the box. Folarin Balogun quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, strucked the ball with his right foot from a very close distance in the box, but his shot was blocked by Keisuke Osako's outstretched leg.

4 minutes later, Yuto Nagatomo crossed into the box from the left wing. Henry Heroki Mochizuki rose high and attempted with a header in box, however his effort was saved by Matt Freese.

In the 30th minute, Maximilian Arfsten crossed into the  from the left wing. Alejandro Zendejas quickly quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from the center of the box with his left foot, giving the United States a 1-0 lead! This was the Columbus Crew striker's first international goal!

5 minutes later, Japan launched a quick counterattack. Chris Richards misplayed a pass inside their own penalty area. Yuito Suzuki intercepted the ball and made straight pass from the left wing. Junya Ito quickly followed up upon receiving the pass, strucked the ball with his right foot from the center of the box, but his shot was saved by Freese. The United States almost made a big mistake!

At the end of the first half, the United States temporarily led Japan 1-0 by going into the break.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 48th minute, Arfsten made a straight pass from the left wing. Christian Pulisic quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his left foot from a difficult angle from the left side of the box, but his shot was blocked by Osako.

6 minutes later, Balogun passed back from the left wing, Pulisic quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the left side of box before volleying with his left foot, but his shot was but blocked by Osako's outstretched leg.

In the 64th minute, Pulisic made a straight pass from the left wing. Folarin Balogun quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before pushing the ball into the bottom right corner of the net from the left side of the box with his left foot, extending the US lead to 2-0! The former Arsenal striker finally broke his 1 year and 3 month international goal drought!

6 minutes later, Japan launched a quick counterattack. Koki Ogawa intercepted the ball and fired a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area. Unfortunately, his shot hit the crossbar and bounced out. Japan missed a golden opportunity to pull a goal back!

In the 78th minute, Luca de la Torre passes horizontally from the center of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Jack McGlynn volleyed with his left foot from the center of the box, but his shot was spectacularly saved by Osako.

5 minutes later, Sergiño Dest passes horizontally from the left of the box. Jack McGlynn quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, took a left-footed long shot from the edge of the penalty area. Unfortunately, his shot hit the bottom left corner of the post and bounced out. The United States missed a golden opportunity to score again!

In the 86th minute, Diego Luna made a straight pass the ball from the front, and Damion Downs quickly followed up and upon receving the pass, strucked the ball with his left foot shot from a very close distance in the box, but his shot was blocked by Osako.

2 minutes later, De la Torre passes horizontally from near the midfield center circle. Sergiño Dest quickly followed up, got the ball, dribbled and cuts into the left side of the box before volleying with his right foot, but his shot was spectacularly saved by Osako.

When the final whistle is blown, the United States defeated Japan by 2-0.