Instant Reaction: Balogun and Zendejas Lift USMNT to Victory

Alexi Lalas, Stu Holden, and David Mosse deliver their instant reaction to the USMNT’s needed win over Japan in their second match of the September international window. The guys break down the starting XI, tactical adjustments, and the standout performances that led to goals from Alex Zendejas and Folarin Balogun. From individual player grades to big-picture takeaways, they discuss what this result means for the team’s depth, chemistry, and momentum heading into a critical stretch. To close out the show, the crew looks ahead to the USMNT’s upcoming schedule, and World Cup qualifying matches around the globe. Intro (0:00) USMNT Tops Japan (2:10) Back 3 Formation (4:43) Is Matt Freese #1? (9:45) Did Balogun Take the Lead Up Top? (13:20) Mauricio Pochettino Reacts to the Critics (18:20) Mexico vs South Korea (27:50) How different do you expect the next window to look for the USMNT? (28:01) Upcoming Matches (33:45) World Cup Qualifying (41:40) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices