DUSSELDORF, Germany — United States men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter conceded that his side has «work to do» ahead of the World Cup following a 2-0 friendly defeat to Japan in which the Americans struggled against the Samurai Blue's press.
Japan applied pressure throughout the opening 45 minutes, limiting the U.S. to just five touches in the opposition penalty area.
U.S. keeper Matt Turner was forced to make a several saves, including a one-on-one duel with Daichi Kamada in the 13th minute. — O'Hanlon: Time to worry about USMNT's World Cup prospects? (ESPN+) — Carlisle: USMNT has no answer for Japan — Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, more (U.S.) But the Eintracht Frankfurt striker made a deserved breakthrough in the 24th minute.
Japan broke quickly following a U.S. turnover, and Kamada's first time shot from Hidemasa Morita's pass cleanly beat Turner for Japan's first goal.