The triumph marked head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s 10th win in normal time from 18 games with the USMNT, and also came on the eve of his first year in charge, which has seen the Stars and Stripes drop to its lowest point in the 21st century, according to some metrics .

The U.S. national team needed to respond after Saturday's loss to South Korea. They got one. The USMNT defeated Japan 2-0 in Columbus, Ohio, to finish the September window on a positive note. Goals from Alejandro Zendejas and Folarin Balogun helped Mauricio Pochettino's squad beat the Samurai Blue.