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USMNT shows its quality and confidence in a 2-0 win over Japan

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Every match that the U.S. men’s national soccer team plays until its World Cup kicks off in June will be an exhibition. As co-hosts, the Americans punched their complimentary ticket to the tournament years ago. Their competitive tune-ups — Copa América, the Concacaf Nations League and the Gold Cup — are in the past. So if Coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to instill a winning mentality before his squad takes the sport’s grandest stage, he must do it not in the crucible of qualifying but the scrutiny of friendlies.