The India men’s and women’s teams are currently playing international cricket without a team sponsor
ESPNcricinfo staff16-Sep-2025
India are playing the Asia Cup without a team sponsor•Associated Press
Apollo Tyres has replaced Dream 11 as the lead sponsor of the Indian cricket teams, the BCCI announced on Tuesday.The board’s new sponsorship deal with Apollo is for two and a half years and will run until March 2028. It is worth Rs 579 crore (US$ 65.7 million approx), according to a PTI report.”The new partnership, secured after a rigorous bidding process, represents a substantial increase in sponsorship value, signifying the immense and growing commercial appeal of Indian cricket,” the BCCI said in a statement.The BCCI needed a new lead team sponsor after the Indian government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 in August banning real-money gaming, which was Dream 11’s core business, forcing them to withdraw from their contract.The men’s team is currently playing the Asia Cup in the UAE without a sponsor and so is the women’s team in their ongoing bilateral ODI series against Australia.Dream11 had a US$ 44 million (INR 358 crore approx.) deal with the BCCI for the period 2023 to 2026 before they pulled out. On September 2, the BCCI began the process to secure a new sponsor by releasing an invitation for expression of interest for the lead sponsorship rights and the deadline to submit a bid was September 16. The BCCI had specified that alcohol brands, betting or gambling services, cryptocurrency, online money gaming, tobacco brands, or any product or service likely to “offend public morals such as, including but not limited to, pornography” were not eligible to submit a bid to become the team sponsor.
Chelsea star Axel Disasi, who was long relegated to the club’s infamous "bomb squad", was reportedly spotted training with the first team despite Enzo Maresca repeatedly insisting there is "no way back" for the French defender. The 27-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, has been frozen out since the summer. But fresh images from Cobham appear to show Disasi back among the first team players as he was spotted sprinting after Liam Delap in a drill, as reported by the Daily Mail.
How Disasi landed in Chelsea's bomb squad
Disasi was signed from Monaco in January 2023 for £38.5m. He made 61 appearances before his sudden demotion with the other outcasts. He had the opportunity to go out on loan again last summer, with West Ham, Bournemouth and Sunderland all interested. But he rejected each offer as he preferred a move abroad instead. That move never materialised, and now he waits for a January escape.
During the summer, several senior players were told to train away from the squad while their futures were sorted, banished to the so-called "bomb squad". Disasi was among those axed, joining Raheem Sterling, Renato Veiga and others in the outcast group. In August, Disasi made headlines by giving supporters a rare look inside the bomb squad’s makeshift quarters. In an Instagram post simply captioned "Life", he shared pre-season photos and one of which showed the barren room changing room. There were no plush leather chairs, but just wooden benches, small windows, and an old air-conditioning unit.
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Disasi's professionalism wins admirers
Despite being exiled, Disasi has not sulked. In fact, he has embraced a mentoring role within the academy. Recently, he captained the Under-21s to a commanding 4-1 win over Reading. He earned praise internally for his attitude, and his professionalism has not gone unnoticed.
However, Chelsea legend Pat Nevin warned that the outcasts must be handled with care, as he feels that they could negatively impact the spirit of the dressing room.
He told BetIdeas.com: "The PFA is not the main problem. The main problem is bigger than that. Your main problem is if you treat two players like that and the rest of the team sees it, which they will, because it's their mates – and I know players can be selfish and are selfish and have to be selfish – they all know that's what I'm going to get. Now, management doesn't always think along these terms because it's short term. There's a big danger there. And it is a warning. Being on just about every side of the game and seeing it, it can damage spirit.
"Players are selfish and they take care of themselves. But Raheem Sterling is liked, he's popular within that dressing room. You certainly don't just blank your mates. So Chelsea need to be careful because in the end if they have got these players that are in six, seven, eight year contracts. Nicholas Jackson was the main man. He's great. And then suddenly he's in the bomb squad. And then he's not, ‘We want you back in’. So be careful because everybody now knows that's what happens. I promise you that's dangerous. When you treat workers like that, the other workers know this. Just be careful."
No way back at Chelsea
Maresca didn’t mince his words when questioned last month about the bomb-squad players.
He said: "They are Chelsea players because they have a contract with the club," the Blues boss said. "In this moment, they are still training apart. The idea is to continue in exactly the same way. Since we started the season, I didnt see one of them. I didn't see Renato (Veiga), I didn't see Axel (Disasi), I didn't see Raheem (Sterling), because they train at a different time on a different pitch. I haven't seen them since we started the season."
When asked whether any could return, the Italian was blunt: "With us? No."
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The January exit plan
Although the defender trains with the first team, Chelsea reportedly intend to offload him when the January window opens. However, the Blues have registered both Disasi and Sterling in their Premier League squad, which could benefit them in the busy festive period, which includes two Champions League games against Barcelona and Atalanta and a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City. In the short term, the Blues return to Premier League action on November 22 with a trip to Burnley. Whether Disasi will be anywhere near the matchday squad remains to be seen.
The New York Yankees turned Game 3 of the American League division series on its head in the span of two batters.
The Yankees entered the top of the eighth inning trailing the Cleveland Guardians 3-1. After reliever Hunter Gaddis retired the first two batters, Juan Soto worked a walk to bring up Aaron Judge representing the tying run. Cleveland countered by bringing in lights-out closer Emmanuel Clase. And that's where things got crazy.
Clase got ahead 0-2, then threw a 99 mph cutter that missed the plate. On 1-2, he went back to the cutter, again at 99 mph, and Judge turned it around. The Yankees superstar launched the ball off the bat at 109.9 mph and sent an absolute laser just over the wall in right field to tie the game 3-3.
The Yankees dugout exploded as the ball left the park. But that wasn't the end of it.
Giancarlo Stanton stepped to the plate next and Clase, once again, got ahead of him 1-2. After Stanton fouled off two cutters, Clase threw a slider for the seventh pitch of the at-bat and he hung it. Stanton blasted it 390 feet to center field at 106.1 mph. It cleared the fence and sent New York's dugout into a frenzy.
The Yankees poured out of the dugout to greet him with their newfound 4-3 lead.
Amazing. Simply amazing.
Clase was nearly perfect during the regular season, racking up 47 saves, an ERA of 0.61 and a WHIP of 0.66. After that inning and those two home runs, his ERA in the 2024 MLB playoffs is now up to 9.00.
Chelsea's players were criticised by Qarabag manager Gurban Gurbanov for being "inattentive" in their 2-2 draw in the Champions League on Wednesday. What was expected to be a routine night for the Premier League giants quickly descended into chaos as the travelling Blues clung on to secure only one point on their travels to Azerbaijan.
Chelsea falter despite early dominance
For the opening 20 minutes, Chelsea looked every inch the Champions League heavyweight. After just 16 minutes, Estevao showed why he’s being talked about as the future of Stamford Bridge as he put his side in front with a sleek finish. But as the Blues’ intensity dipped and complacency crept in, Qarabag sensed blood. In the 29th minute, Camilo Duran sliced through Chelsea’s flimsy midfield and tried his luck from distance, but his effort cannoned off the post. Nonetheless, the rebound fell kindly for Leandro Andrade and he levelled the score. Six minutes before the break, Jorrel Hato conceded a penalty and Marko Jankovic converted from the spot to put the hosts in front.
By the interval, Maresca had seen enough. The Italian rang the changes, making three substitutions. Among those introduced was Alejandro Garnacho, and the Argentine made an instant impact. Just 12 minutes into the second half, Garnacho took matters into his own hands, driving into the box and unleashing a thunderous left-footed strike that arrowed into the bottom corner, making it 2-2. But rather than building on the equaliser, Chelsea again drifted into sloppiness. The match became wide open, paving the way to a chaotic end-to-end battle that bore no resemblance to the slick, organised football Maresca preaches.
AdvertisementAFPGurbanov takes a dig at Chelsea players
After the match, Qarabag boss Gurbanov couldn’t hide his pride for his own player.
"First of all, I would like to congratulate our supporters," he began. "It was a magnificent day, with Victory Day (a public holiday) in several days. My players struggled and are fighters. My team showed determination until the final minutes against the champions of the world. My team were not afraid and demonstrated Azerbaijani character. They earned their first point against an English team. Of course, this result boosts confidence and our profile. This is what makes our supporters love football. Maybe Chelsea players were inattentive and didn't expect us to attack."
Maresca unsurprised by hosts' performance
Chelsea's starting XI, with an average age of just 23 years and 97 days, was the second youngest ever fielded by an English club in a Champions League away match. And the inexperience almost cost them the match. Maresca tried to keep his cool in the post-match press conference, but there was no hiding his frustration.
"The big difference today for me was inside the box," he said. "The goal we conceded, they are silly goals for me. In their box, for the amount of times that we arrived, we have not been clinical enough. So this is the big difference for me."
Maresca also gave credit to Qarabag, adding: "They are a good team, I said already a few days ago, they are a good team, they are doing well. And especially at home, it's difficult."
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AFPA wake-up call in Baku
Level on points with Qarabag – seven from four games – the Blues are in real danger of being forced into a knockout play-off instead of automatic progression to the Champions League last 16. They are currently 12th in the standings with the top eight assured of a last-16 berth. And tougher tests are on the horizon. Barcelona visit Stamford Bridge later this month, while away trips to Atalanta and Napoli loom ominously.
Rahul also completed 8000 runs in T20 cricket and became the first batter to score hundreds for three different IPL teams
Hemant Brar18-May-2025
KL Rahul toasts a majestic IPL hundred•BCCI
KL Rahul’s fifth IPL hundred took Delhi Capitals (DC) to 199 for 3 against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Opening the innings, Rahul scored 112 not out off 65 balls, studded with 14 fours and four sixes, and became the first batter to score hundreds for three different IPL teams. Previously, he has scored hundreds for Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants.DC had a slow start, though, after being sent in. Mohammed Siraj and Arshad Khan stuck to good length and gave little room with the new ball. In the first four overs, there were 15 dot balls. Faf du Plessis, who tried to break the shackles and charged at Arshad, was caught at mid-on by Siraj. He made 5 off ten balls.After five overs, DC were 28 for 1. Rahul then injected momentum into the innings by hitting Kagiso Rabada for two sixes and a four in the last over of the powerplay. During that over, Rahul also completed 8000 runs in T20 cricket. Reaching there in 224 innings, he was the third-fastest, behind only Chris Gayle (213) and Babar Azam (218).With a four off Rashid Khan, Rahul brought up his fifty, his fourth of the season and coming off 35 balls. As a result, DC reached 81 for 1 after ten overs.R Sai Kishore had Abishek Porel caught behind for 30 off 19, after being hit for a six previous ball. That brought an end to a 90-run stand in 8.4 overs. But luck was on DC’s side, especially Rahul’s. In the 14th over, he got three fours off R Sai Kishore’s first three balls, all through luck. The first one was drilled back and went through Sai Kishore’s hand. Rabada misfielded the next and then an outside edge sped past short third.Axar took apart Sai Kishore in the 16th over, a strange call on Shubman Gill’s behalf to give Sai Kishore that over given Axar’s excellent record against spin this season. That over went for 15. Prasidh Krishna returned in the next over and dismissed Axar with his second ball.But Rahul and Stubbs added 48 off 22 balls in an unbroken stand to set GT a target of 200. With no dew so far, GT has their task cut out for them.
After a slow start out of the blocks this season, everything seemed to click into place for Leeds United away at Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out in the Premier League.
Obviously, the 3-1 win will have to be taken with a slight pinch of salt – considering Vitor Pereira’s Old Gold have now lost all five of their opening league clashes – but it was still a breakneck performance from Daniel Farke’s men, especially in that blistering first 45 minutes.
Staggeringly, before their trip to the West Midlands, Farke and Co. had only fired home one goal in league action all season. Those same nerves weren’t present at all at Molineux, however, as three strikes were put away by the visitors in quick succession.
Even more pleasing for Farke would be the nature of those goalscorers, with all three heroes on the day being brand-new recruits who can now kick on even more in West Yorkshire.
Leeds' standout new recruits
While there were grumbles among the Elland Road contingent when activity was sparse on transfer deadline day, there does need to be some recognition that Leeds have made a couple of standout purchases here and there.
Farke will be desperately hoping that Dominic Calvert-Lewin now finds himself deep in a purple patch of goalscoring form after heading home the equaliser at Molineux, with the ex-Everton marksman going down as an astute purchase if so on a free transfer.
Calvert-Lewin might well have steered Leeds back onto the initial road to recovery, but it was the combined efforts of both Anton Stach and Noah Okafor that would stylishly secure the three points.
Indeed, Stach would show no hesitation on the big stage when hammering home a sublime free-kick for 2-1, with the £20m purchase looking a Premier League-calibre talent already.
Okafor also justified his high £18m price-tag with the game-clinching strike on the stroke of half-time, with both the Swiss international and his German teammate hopeful they can continue putting in top-quality displays together to ensure survival is clinched.
The new midfield pairing also boasts hefty salaries – with the duo earning £72.5k-per-week and £45k-per-week respectively – but there is one high earner who rakes in even more who will now be worried about his long-term security in the first-team.
The Leeds star who earns more than Okafor & Stach
It isn’t the most shocking development that both Okafor and Stach can perform at the highest level of English football; however, considering both players in question have shone in the Bundesliga, the Serie A, and the Austrian Bundesliga previously, to name but a few of their past European destinations.
In stark contrast, Daniel James has never quite looked at ease in the Premier League, and with injury difficulties already getting the better of him so far this season, the 27-year-old could soon find it hard to nail down a first-team spot.
This isn’t to say that James hasn’t produced some moments of unbelievable magic at Leeds, with this spectacular effort last season seeing the Whites collect a promotion-boosting 3-1 victory.
But, it’s very clear when looking at the table below, that the hit-and-miss Welshman is a far more of an electric attacking threat in the EFL than he is when making the daunting step up to the Premier League.
Games played
110
109
Goals scored
12
29
Assists
13
25
In the EFL’s elite league to date, James has managed to collect a weighty 54 goal contributions from 109 overall clashes, with the spotlight often beamed down on him as Leeds’ main man down the right channel.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t been as devastating in the Premier League as a full-throttle option, with just nine of his 25 goal contributions in the unforgiving division coming in West Yorkshire.
His regular hiccups in the top-flight even saw TalkSPORT’s outspoken Simon Jordan label him as a “fundamental disappointment” in 2022, with those words still ringing true when you consider the one-time Manchester United attacker has also collected zero goals or assists this season when fit.
When further realising James also pockets a steep £75k-per-week pay packet, which is more than both Okafor and Stach earn, it’s clear that Leeds are handing out an unnecessarily excessive salary.
With his current contract in play until 2029, it’s unlikely that Farke will part ways with James anytime soon.
But, with Okafor proving that the new guard at the German’s disposal are instantly Premier League ready, don’t expect the Welshman to instantly jump back into his first-team plans.
49ers buzzing: Leeds "very happy" with £72,500-a-week star who loves Farke
Novo reforço do Santos, Dodô está regularizado para estrear com a camisa alvinegra em sua nova passagem pelo clube. Isso porque o lateral-esquerdo teve seu registro publicado no Boletim Informativo Diário (BID) da CBF nesta quinta-feira (13) e pode jogar contra o São Paulo.
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O defensor foi anunciado pelo Peixe na última segunda-feira (10). Ele estava no Atlético-MG, que não impôs grandes dificuldades na negociação com o Alvinegro, pois conta com Guilherme Arana e Rubens para a posição. Os dois estavam à frente de Dodô na concorrência.
O lateral de 31 anos, único contratado oficialmente nesta janela, jogará na equipe da Vila Belmiro pela segunda vez. Ele atuou no time em 2018, emprestado junto à Sampdoria, da Itália.
Na época, Dodô se destacou e disputou 50 partidas, marcou um gol e distribuiu quatro assistências pelo Santos. Agora, ele chega para brigar por posição com Kevyson e Gabriel Inocêncio, mas é o provável titular do Peixe para a sequência da temporada. Felipe Jonatan está lesionado e deve retornar somente em 2024, e Lucas Pires está afastado por indisciplina.
A reestreia do lateral-esquerdo, então, pode acontecer neste domingo (16), às 16h, no clássico contra o São Paulo. A partida será disputada no Morumbi, pela 15ª rodada do Brasileirão.
A maneira como o Fluminense atuou no empate em 2 a 2 diante do Goiás no último domingo (11), no Estádio da Serrinha, deixou nítido o quanto a pausa da Data Fifa se tornou urgente para os comandados de Fernando Diniz. Por mais que os tricolores tenham engrenado em campo, o forte cansaço, aliado à sucessão de desfalques voltaram a ficar evidentes nos pés dos jogadores.
O confronto válido pela décima rodada do Brasileirão deu a Diniz um panorama do potencial do Tricolor das Laranjeiras e do que precisará ajustar neste período de descanso.
FIM DE SECA E MOMENTOS DE PODERIO OFENSIVO
Depois de um mês de idas e vindas, o setor ofensivo trouxe momentos promissores. Germán Cano voltou a marcar, encerrando um jejum de sete jogos. Lançado como titular, Lelê não se omitiu do jogo, ao tentar jogadas com Arias ou apostar em investidas com Cano.
A dupla entre Arias e Lelê também teve bons momentos em investidas por via aérea, em especial no primeiro tempo. O colombiano também mostrou abnegação em momentos desafiadores dos tricolores no segundo tempo.
IMPROVISOS E SACRIFÍCIOS
Dos seis desfalques que o Fluminense teve no Serrinha, ficou mais nítido o problema da lateral esquerda. Além dos laterais de ofício Marcelo e Jorge, o técnico Fernando Diniz teve a baixa de Alexsander, meia deslocado com frequência para o setor.
Outro jogador deslocado para este lado, Guga teve de retornar à sua posição de origem, pois o lateral-direito Samuel Xavier estava improvisado. O meia Gabriel Pirani atuou improvisado e, por mais que tenha se empenhado para ir à frente, sofreu com as investidas do Goiás na reta final de cada tempo. A trapalhada de Martinelli no fim da etapa inicial deu margem para a finalização de Morelli e, na sobra da defesa de Fábio, Pirani cometeu pênalti sobre Apodi. Matheus Peixoto converteu a cobrança.
No segundo tempo, o meia-atacante Alexandre Jesus também ocupou o setor e teve de se desdobrar. Além do jovem Esquerdinha ser opção, o Fluminense tem Diogo Barbosa na mira para a sequência do ano.
BONS MOMENTOS SE ESVAEM
Os tricolores se mostraram aguerridos ao tentarem propor o jogo e viram a dedicação da equipe culminar no gol de Lima no início do segundo tempo. O camisa 45 assumiu bem o desafio de substituir Paulo Henrique Ganso e ainda deixou o seu no dia do seu aniversário.
No entanto, a série de desfalques do Tricolor das Laranjeiras foi pesando à medida que o jogo transcorreu. Com as substituições, o Fluminense não manteve sua força e viu o Goiás ganhar força principalmente na reta final. Sinal de que o elenco curto começa a causar problemas para a equipe.
NOVA DOR DE CABEÇA?
Outro reflexo da sequência de jogos do Tricolor das Laranjeiras aconteceu aos 21 minutos do segundo tempo. Nino caiu no gramado chorando e se queixando de dores no músculo adutor da coxa direita. O zagueiro deixou o campo, foi substituído e sua situação pode custar a convocação para os amistosos da Seleção Brasileira.
Enquanto isso, na Serrinha, a equipe de Fernando Diniz se ressentia ainda mais de entrosamento. Por mais que David Braz lutasse, seu entrosamento com Manoel não funcionava e a equipe corria riscos.
PERDA DE FÔLEGO DIANTE DO GOIÁS
Nos dois tempos, o Tricolor das Laranjeiras viu o desgaste acarretar em gols sofridos. A situação ficou ainda mais nítida nos últimos minutos do confronto. O Goiás avançou com perigo com frequência em contra-ataques, obrigando os defensores a correrem além da conta para evitarem investidas.
Além disso, não faltaram chances em jogadas aéreas, nas quais Fábio se desdobrou para evitar. Até que Alesson aproveitou um momento de hesitação e definiu o empate na Serrinha. O momento não é só de se recuperar na classificação do Brasileiro e da Libertadores, mas de repor as forças de seus jogadores e comprovar que o grupo tem forças para se impor.
It is set to be a season-defining week and a half for Rangers, both on and off the park.
Back on Tuesday, the Light Blues’ Champions League dreams went up in flames very quickly, 3-0 down at home to Club Brugge inside 20 minutes at a mutinous Ibrox, with Danilo’s goal shortly after half time unable to spark a full-scale comeback.
Thus, baring a miracle at Jan Breydelstadion next Wednesday, Russell Martin’s team will have to settle for the consolation prize of a spot in the Europa League.
Just four days after their visit to West Flanders, the first Glasgow derby of the season takes place in Govan and, with Rangers already four points below fierce rivals Celtic, after just two matches, this Old Firm fixture feels must win already.
The transfer window will then slam shut the following day, and expect Rangers to be busy in the market between now and then, so could they land a “powerful” new centre-forward reminiscent of their best striker of the post-liquidation era?
Rangers searching for a new striker
Rangers do have three strikers on their books, namely Danilo, Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane, but none of the trio, thus far, have come close to making the impact that Alfredo Morelos managed during his time in Glasgow.
The Colombian international played an instrumental role in their recent success, winning the Premiership title in 2021 and reaching the Europa League Final the following season, so could they be set to sign a striker with similar characteristics?
Alfredo Morelos
Well, according to a report by AfricaFoot, Rangers are in talks to sign striker Karl Etta Eyong from Villarreal on a permanent deal to bolster their attack.
They add that ‘negotiations are continuing’ between the two clubs for a player whose estimated transfer value is around £5.6m, after the Gers had a loan offer turned down for the forward.
The Light Blues have already signed ten new players this summer, so could that tally soon rise to 11?
What Karl Etta Eyong would bring to Rangers
Etta Eyong has certainly enjoyed a rapid rise in recent months.
After joining Villarreal from Cádiz last summer, he starred for the Yellow Submarine’s B team, scoring 18 goals in 30 Primera Federación appearances, impressing all onlookers of Spain’s third-tier.
This earned him his senior debut towards the end of last season and, mere seconds into only his second appearance, he headed home a last-gasp winner against Girona at Montilivi, a key moment in securing Champions League qualification for Villarreal.
Now, following the sale of Thierno Barry to Everton, Etta Eyong started in La Liga for the very first time on the opening day last Friday night, again breaking the deadlock with a towering header during a 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo at Estadio de la Cerámica.
Writer Kai Watson labels the 21-year-old a “powerful penalty box striker”, praising his “determination…. anticipation and aggression”, adding that Villarreal “are willing to let him go” for the right price.
Etta Eyong’s characteristics certainly sound similar to those of Morelos, but would he be able to replicate the Colombian’s success?
When Morelos arrived in Glasgow, he was also very much a lesser-known talent, joining from HJK Helsinki, having featured just 62 times for the Veikkausliiga side.
Rangers timeless
Known as el Buffalo, the Colombian would go on to score 124 goals in 269 appearances for Rangers, of which 29 were scored in UEFA competition, becoming the club’s all-time record scorer in Europe, breaking Ally McCoist’s long-standing record by netting against Benfica at Estádio da Luz in 2020.
In fact, when qualifiers are included, only three players have scored more goals in the history of the UEFA Cup/Europa League than Morelos’ tally of 32; Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (34), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (37) and Henrik Larsson (40).
So, given that Etta Eyong is unproven, signing him comes with an element of risk, but this could ultimately pay off spectacularly.
Often left frustrated by Dessers and Danilo, the Ibrox faithful are craving a talismanic centre-forward to get behind, and the 21-year-old Cameroonian appears to have the skillset to fulfill that role.
Rangers can forget Vardy by signing £7m CF who was the "best" in the SPFL
As Rangers search for a new centre-forward, Russell Martin could forget all about Jamie Vardy by signing the “best striker in the league” worth £6.8m.
Could this game, one that offered some semblance of momentum, be a defining moment for Pochettino and the USMNT?
COLUMBUS, Ohio – If Mauricio Pochettino could have designed the perfect response in his head, this would have been it. A 2-0 win over a good, but admittedly rotated, Japan team on Tuesday night was exactly what the U.S. men's national team required.
Goals from two players, Alejandro Zendejas and Folarin Balogun, seemingly fighting for more? Check. A tactical switch that might just be an answer, both in the short- and long-term? Check. And a strong performance from Christian Pulisic, who finally put the summer drama in the rearview mirror with an important assist? Another big check.
This week, so much talk has centered around the USMNT's trajectory. Pochettino admitted it partly began in March, in losses in the Nation's League that served as a wakeup call. Could this game, one that offered some semblance of momentum, be a shift in the other direction? Could this be the start of a new path, one that looks a lot better than the one the U.S. has been on since the spring?
"This game and life, it's all about sliding doors," USMNT veteran Tim Ream said postgame. "It's about either stepping through them or not. You take moments and experiences on board and you move on. I think for us, it's just a process to go through. It's a process to get to a World Cup. There are moments. There are ups and downs. I've been playing a long time and it's never smooth sailing.
"There are times when things don't go your way and times when you can do no wrong. That's the way the game is. Maybe you look back on it and say 'OK, that was a defining moment' and some may look at this as a defining moment."
That answer will come down the line but, for now, it's, at the very least, a step. It was one that the U.S. needed. It was one Pochettino and Pulisic and plenty of others needed.
"Things happen as they're supposed to happen," said Pulisic, who spoke to reporters for the first time since returning to the USMNT from his controversial summer, which included skipping the Gold Cup. "This is where we are now. It's important for us to take this game and feel good about it. But also look back and see a lot of things we can still improve on."
GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Lower.com Field.
Getty Images
WINNER: Christian Pulisic
The South Korea game last weekend, a 2-0 loss, was Pulisic's long-awaited return to the USMNT after a chaotic summer. Tuesday felt like his proper re-emergence. This was Pulisic near his best and, and that makes the USMNT a much different team.
The stuff from the summer? It may not be totally behind everyone, but it feels backburner. That's what good soccer can do. Good soccer can cure things, remind everyone that, at its core, that this is supposed to be fun.
"I love this team. It's everything to me," Pulisic said postgame. "I've been here for quite a long time, getting to see some new guys, getting to bond with some old players, even seeing [Cristian] Roldan again, like it's so cool for me.I thought he was great today as well. For me personally, I don't feel like a step was lost. I love being around the team. I had a great time."
Bygones are bygones? Time will tell, but still, Pulisic needed this performance to drive that message home and, perhaps remind a few people why he's so important for this team. This performance was nearly complete. The only thing missing was a much-deserved goal. Those will come if Pulisic is in this kind of form, and the U.S. will need that more and more down the stretch.
"It's been a tough go recently," Pulisic said, "and we wanted to walk away with some confidence, with some good feelings going into the next camp and, obviously, leading into a World Cup here."
For all the mud-slinging between Pulisic and critics, including many former USMNT players, and his back-and-forth with his manager over the Gold Cup and pre-tournament friendlies, he said his relationship with Pochettino and his teammates is healthy.
"We have good conversations," Pulisic said. "Honestly, what you guys experience and what the media sees is not exactly what we experienced. Things are good. We spoke, we had a normal camp. Everything is good between us and good between the team. There's probably not as much drama as you guys think."
That drama dominated headlines and podcasts and social posts all summer. Pulisic insisted the focus now is entirely on the team, and its ultimate mission – the pathway to the 2026 World Cup.
"It's been good," he said. "Obviously, the national team can be tough because you don't spend your day-to-day together. I think in the camps we've come in and gotten to know each other. We're starting to really learn each other, learn the team and how we can both help each other as best we can to go forward and try and win."
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LOSER: Pochettino's critics
Before concluding his post-match news conference after the win against Japan, Pochettino issued an apology. He was sorry for cursing in Monday's prematch media availability.
He was responding Mondy to numerous critics, including a number of former USMNT players-turned-pundits, saying, "People sometimes create debate and talk with no sense. You cannot compare because this national team and this country is qualified for the World Cup, so the important thing is to apply common sense. If people want to talk bullsh*t, we can talk bull sh*t. We feel the responsibility to provide for the group of players that we think can be important for the future of this country in a World Cup."
Pochettino said his wife was upset at his language, but stressed that the point remains: criticize him all you want for his tactics, decisions and planning. All he asks is that the critics stick to that.
On Tuesday, there was little to criticize. Tactically, Pochettino was spot on, nailing the switch to the three-centerback system. It seems certain to be the one going forward, particularly after this performance. As the game wore on, he nailed the substitutions, too, injecting the right sort of life to not just keep the foot on the pedal, but get minutes for several players who had earned it.
"It's about the process," he said. "It's about the players. I really believe in what we are doing and how they respect us and how we respect them. We are capable of building this relationship, for sure. We are going to have the best players and players that maybe aren't here today will have the possibility to come. We are very open people, but it's time for the process – and the process is going to work, for sure. I don't have any doubts."
Was it perfect? No. There were still decisions to nitpick and a number of areas in which the USMNT can improve. The critics will likely get more ammo over the coming months, even if Pochettino does keep his promise to tone down his tinkering and experimentation beginning in the October camp.
Before leaving his news conference Tuesday night, Pochettino had one last message: "Guys, I'm looking forward to October."
It's easy to see why after what seemed a statement win.
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WINNER: Alejandro Zendejas
To his credit, Alex Zendejas has been patient. He didn't ruffle any feathers when he was left out of multiple squads despite a good run of form with Club America. Then, when given his chance on Tuesday, he made the most of it, scoring in the 30th minute to stake the USMNT to a 1-0 lead. What else could you ask for?
The goal was Zendejas' second with the USMNT, but it's no doubt much bigger than the first. As he fights for a potential World Cup role, Zendejas was able to impact the game, getting on the ball plenty even before his decisive volley in the first half.
"Thankfully it landed on my left foot since I'm a lefty, " Zendejas said of his goal. "It happened so fast. I knew he was going to do a one-on-one play on the wing, so it was the right timing. Right place, right time."
Zendejas is one of the few in this player pool that regularly has to be "the guy" for his club team. The No. 10 shirt he's inherited with Club America carries weight and, so far, he's handled it all very well. The confidence that comes from that will have to translate to the USMNT if he's to make a push for a World Cup role.
On Tuesday, he showed that that might just happen.
"We are so pleased," Pochettino said. "Now, with this type of performance, he's in the race for the roster of the World Cup."
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LOSER: Japan
Pochettino spoke earlier this week about having a plan, and altering that plan as a team already bound for the World Cup. Japan entered this international break with a similar scenario. Having already qualified, there was room for experimenting.
And experiment Hajime Moriyasu did. The manager made mass changes, benching many of his regular stars for a look at several young options. Japan started and entirely different XI from the one that settled for a scoreless draw with Mexico over the weekend.
"As a national team coach, I always play to get a win, and that will not change in any game we play," Moriyasu said. "I was confident that my young players, my inexperienced players, could keep the same standards as the experienced ones. That's why I chose to play a younger team than usual because we are aiming to win at the World Cup, so I can't just rely on players who have played for the national team.
"I need my young players to step up and get experience to heighten the standard. We cannot just rely on 11 players. I think we need two, maybe three teams that can play at the same level. I will continue to aim to do that."
A lesson, then, for Moriyasu and some of those young players as they continue their own preparation for the World Cup.