The USMNT will hope to bounce back from their defeat last week when they host Japan in an international friendly on Tuesday.
It was a disappointing outing last time out for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as they lost 2-0 to South Korea, with goals from Son Heung-min and Lee Dong-gyeong.
On the other hand, Japan were also put up an unconvincing display in their goalless draw against 10-man Mexico in their previous match.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
USMNT vs. Japan live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this international friendly in the U.S.:
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: DIRECTV, Max
This match is available for live TV broadcast on TNT in the English language. Streaming options are available on DirecTV, Max, and Watch TNT.
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What time does USMNT vs. Japan kick off?
This international friendly takes place at the Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio and kicks off on Tuesday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Tue, Sep. 9 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Central Time | Tue, Sep. 9 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Tue, Sep. 9 | 5:30 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Tue, Sep. 9 | 4:30 p.m. |
USMNT vs. Japan lineups, team news
Just like he did over the summer, Pochettino has called in a squad largely consisting of fringe players. He seemed to indicate speaking to the media that this was the last opportunity for these individuals to make an impression before the first-choice regulars return to the fold.
Christian Pulisic is back with the USMNT after his controversial absence over the summer and played the full 90 minutes against South Korea, while Folarin Balogun is also back in the mix after missing significant time last season due to injury and poor form. Josh Sargent had another chance to show his national-team credentials amidst another hot start to the season with Norwich City, but he came up empty in 62 minutes in last week’s defeat. Cristian Roldan was a late addition to the roster.
Injury absences include Antonee Robinson, who has only just returned from offseason knee surgery. Patrick Agyemang has yet to make his debut for Derby County due to a hernia, while Malik Tillman was left off as he’s only just made his Bayer Leverkusen debut due to a calf issue, and Ricardo Pepi has only seen one substitute appearance after returning from a knee injury. Pochettino will be wary of overusing Sergino Dest and Balogun, both of whom are only just back from long-term injuries of their own.
USA predicted starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Klinsmann (GK) — Dest, Banks, Richards, Arfsten — De la Torre, Zawadzki — Zendejas, Luna, Weah — Balogun
Full USA roster
Goalkeepers: Roman Celentano, Matt Freese, Jonathan Klinsmann
Defenders: Max Arfsten, Tristan Blackmon, Noahkai Banks, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Nathan Harriel, Tim Ream, Chris Richards
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Luca de la Torre, Jack McGlynn, Cristian Roldan, Sean Zawadzki
Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Damion Downs, Diego Luna, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Timothy Weah, Alex Zendejas
Japan have brought a full-strength squad to the United States for their pair of September friendlies, with European-based stars Wataru Endo, Takefusa Kubo, Kaoru Mitoma, Daichi Kamada, Daizen Maeda, and Takumi Minamino in tow.
Bayern Munich defender Hiroki Ito has been missing since March due to a fractured foot, while domestic-based midfielder Koki Kumasaka is still recovering from a torn ACL. Defender Tomoya Ando was called in but withdrew from the squad due to injury.
With both sides likely to rotate due to the quick turnaround, the likes of Daizen Maeda, Junya Ito, and Yukinari Sugawara could come in after coming off the bench against Mexico.
Japan predicted starting lineup (3-4-3, right to left): Suzuki (GK) — Watanabe, Itakura, Seko — Ito, Endo, Sugawara, Mitoma — Kubo, Ogawa, Maeda
Full Japan roster
Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako, Zion Suzuki
Defenders: Hayato Araki, Ko Itakura, Yuto Nagatomo, Hiroki Sekine, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara
Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Ritsu Doan, Joel Chima Fujita, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Takefusa Kubo, Takumi Minamino, Karou Mitoma, Henry Heroki Mochizuki, Kaishu Sano, Kodai Sano
Forwards: Mao Hosoya, Shuto Machino, Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Yuito Suzuki, Ayase Ueda.
International friendly schedule this week
All times ET
Tuesday, September 9
- Wales vs. Canada (2:45 p.m.)
- USA vs. Japan (7:30 p.m.)
- Mexico vs. South Korea (9:00 p.m.)
