With the World Cup drawing ever closer, US Soccer scheduled two friendlies for the USMNT. The pair of encounters tests the team’s mettle and sees how they stack up before traveling to Qatar in November.
The pair of friendlies are a refreshing change of pace. Opponents Japan and Saudi Arabia are relatively unknown foes for the Stars and Stripes. On top of that, the games are at neutral venues in Europe, mirroring a neutral World Cup game against opposition heading to the World Cup.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the last two games at neutral sites in Europe were far and few between them. The United States played the Italians in a match between two teams that failed to make it to Russia 2018. Then, four years earlier, London hosted the United States against Colombia. Before COVID, the last time the USMNT won a neutral-site friendly in Europe was a March 2006 1-0 victory over Poland in Germany. Clearly, the US is not too familiar with neutral site games in Europe.
With these two games serving as final preparation before the World Cup, fans are hoping for positive results that will build momentum heading to Qatar.
Current USMNT squad
The roster for these two games put together by Gregg Berhalter is a mix of European-based players and MLS-based players. In goal, Zack Steffen is out with injury, so the trio of Matt Turner, Ethan Horvath and Sean Johnson battle it out for a starting role.
The bottom line is again a mixed bag. Berhalter continues to omit John Brooks from the team for reasons known only to him. Even then, Berhalter says Brooks still has a place on the team. Without Brooks, the three most experienced American defenders are DeAndre Yedlin, Walker Zimmerman and Aaron Long. All three play for MLS clubs, while the only player with extensive experience in the September squad playing in Europe is Sergiño Dest, with 17 appearances.
The midfield features Weston McKennie and Leeds powerhouse Tyler Adams. Also, relatively inexperienced names like Johnny Cardoso and Malik Tillman earn a call.
Up front is where things look most promising. The star Christian Pulisic has minutes with the squad again. Also, Brenden Aaronson looks to continue his strong start with American Jesse Marsch in Leeds. On top of that, the team sees the return of Josh Sargent and a healthy Gio Reyna.
Köln: where the finishes are as smooth as the Kölsch ???? pic.twitter.com/iJc3WKo0D9
— US Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) September 20, 2022
USMNT takes on Japan from Düsseldorf
This pair of games represents a solid test for the US in preparation for the World Cup. The same goes for Japan in its preparation for the World Cup.
The Samurai Blue are making their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance. The team finished second in Group B in AFC World Cup Qualifying. Since the bottom of the standings, Japan’s record is four wins, two losses, and one draw.
At the World Cup, Japan is in the praised Group E. The opponents are Spain, Germany and CONCACAF’s own Costa Rica. The Japan side playing against the USMNT has experience in key games.
Eiji Kawashima is in goal with 95 caps to his name. Two of his defenders, Yuto Nagatomo and captain Maya Yoshida, played more than 100 games. The midfield doesn’t have players with as many appearances, but there is a group of guys over 40. And most interestingly, the front row features three players plying their trade with Celtic in Scotland: Reo Hatate in a cap and zero goals , Kyogo Furuhashi with 15 games and 3 goals, and finally Daizen Maeda with seven games and one goal.
Game information
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The USMNT game against Japan begins on Friday, September 23 from the Merkur Spiel-Arena at 8:15 am ET. Düsseldorf is pretty much smack bang in the middle between the US and Japan, so it’s a fitting location on that front. Game coverage is available on ESPN2, UniMas and TUDN.
Japan and the USMNT only have two games between them. Both sides have a victory, with the United States winning the most recent match, 3-2. However, that game was in February 2006 at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
The next game for the United States is in Murcia, Spain, against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, September 27. The coverage of that game is not the same as in Japan, with FS1 airing at 2 pm ET.
PHOTO: Imago/Icon Sportswire
