Takeaways from a confidence-restoring win by USMNT over Japan

Here are the key takeaways from the USMNT's faith-restoring victory:

Japan lost this match just as much as the USMNT won it

This USMNT performance was a balm after Saturday's rough outing against South Korea, but it's important to be clear-headed about how and why it happened. Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, in a planned bid to give his bench players key minutes against a tricky side, switched out every single member of his starting 11 in favor of their lesser-known peers to face the USMNT. When Japan swapped a few of its traditional starters back into the match during the second half, things instantly got more complicated, more competitive and more concerning for the USMNT.

Let's be absolutely clear: an opponent resting its best players against you is not a compliment. Sure, the USMNT held on and played well, but it benefited immensely from Japan's decisions ... decisions it made on the basis of the USMNT's less-than-stellar recent outings.

The USMNT's new three-man defense showed promise

Coach Mauricio Pochettino hasn't wavered much on tactics since joining the USMNT: he's played some variation of a 4-2-3-1 in just about every match he's coached. Tuesday, though, was different. After experimenting with a three-man defense in the second half against South Korea, Pochettino opted to try it for real, fielding three center backs — Tristan Blackmon, Chris Richards and Tim Ream — alongside wingbacks Max Arfsten and Alex Freeman.

The change paid dividends. The USMNT looked far more comfortable in possession and far less stretched out of it. There's plenty more for Pochettino to learn about this formation, but against fast, high-pressing teams like Japan, it certainly seems like it could be a winner.

Matt Freese delivered another strong showing

Goalkeeping crisis? What goalkeeping crisis? NYCFC's Matt Freese, in his eighth straight start for the USMNT, has taken one of the team's weakest positions and turned it into a position of serene strength. He was on fire, making four crucial saves in the first half to keep the match level — and its worth noting that he was a crucial part of the team's three-man defense experiment, too. None of those changes would've paid off in practice without Freese's calm direction from the penalty box.

The USMNT still needs to tidy up its midfield

Many of the USMNT's best chances — and both of its goals — came from quick, aggressive wide play down the flanks. When the team turned inward and tried to pass its way through Japan, though, it struggled mightily. Misplaced passes abounded as newcomers Cristian Roldan and Zendejas struggled to find their teammates across the field. That, right now, is the team's biggest area for improvement ... and its one that sharper, non-rotated sides will undoubtedly exploit in the future.

The USMNT will return to action on Oct. 10 against Ecuador in Austin, Texas.