SI

USMNT Announces September Friendlies Against Top Asian Opposition

The U.S. men's national team announced two friendlies for September as Mauricio Pochettino continues to get the team ready for the World Cup.

Max Mallow

The U.S. men's national team will play two friendlies in September as part of preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
The U.S. men's national team will play two friendlies in September as part of preparation for the 2026 World Cup. / IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire

The United States men's national team announced friendly fixtures in September as Mauricio Pochettino continues preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The USMNT will face South Korea and Japan, four days apart, in Harrison, New Jersey, and Columbus, Ohio. South Korea and Japan are ranked 23rd and 15th respectively in the FIFA men's world rankings, as of writing. The U.S. will take the field and host supporters and their opponents at two Major League Soccer stadiums.

Here's everything you need to know about USMNT's September friendlies against two of the Asian Football Confederation's best.

USMNT September Friendlies: Opponents, Venues, Dates and Times

USMNT vs. South Korea

  • Date: Sept. 6
  • Kickoff Time: 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT
  • Venue: Sports Illustrated Stadium
  • City: Harrison, New Jersey
  • FIFA Ranking: 23

USMNT vs. Japan

  • Date: Sept. 9
  • Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT
  • Venue: Lower.com Field
  • City: Columbus, Ohio
  • FIFA Ranking: 15

USMNT Head-to-Head vs. South Korea, Japan

The U.S. and Japan have met just three times since their first match in 1993. Taylor Twellman fueled the side to victory in a 2006 friendly, but the Samurai Blue got the better of USMNT last time they met before the 2022 World Cup.

The USMNT have more history against South Korea having played them seven times. The U.S. holds a 2-3-2 record against South Korea. Chris Wondolowski featured the last time these two countries met in 2014 with the U.S. winning 2–0 in California.

How to Watch USMNT September Friendlies

Match and Date

TV/Live Stream

vs. South Korea, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. ET

TNT, Telemundo, Max, Universo, Peacock

vs. Japan, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET

TNT, Max, Universo, Peacock

South Korea and Japan represent strong opponents for the USMNT bookending the start of summer and post-Concacaf Gold Cup. The USMNT play Turkey and Switzerland in June before taking on Trinidad and Tobago in their first Gold Cup match. Pochettino's team needs strong performances and a string of results under their belt as the disappointment from the Concacaf Nations League looms large.

READ THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, PREVIEWS & ANALYSIS HERE

feed

Published |Modified
Max Mallow
MAX MALLOW

Max Mallow is an associate editor for Sports Illustrated, primarily working on the SI FC brand.

Home/Soccer