USMNT tops Japan to end winless streak vs. top 25 teams | NYGazet

Alejandro Zendejas scored in the 30th minute, Folarin Balogun added a goal in the 64th and the United States stopped a seven-game winless streak against top 25 opponents by beating a Japan team of mostly second-string players 2-0 in a friendly on Tuesday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Mauricio Pochettino and the U.S. felt like they needed a win, even in a friendly nine months ahead of the World Cup against an opponent sending out its second string. Criticism had become a constant, with Alexi Lalas calling for Poch... [4251 chars]