FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The United States males’s nationwide group kicked off its 2025 schedule on Saturday with a 3-1 pleasant win in opposition to Venezuela at Chase Stadium.
The Individuals, who fielded an virtually fully MLS-based lineup with regulars like Tyler Adams and Tim Weah busy with their European golf equipment this month, bought first half targets from Jack McGlynn and Patrick Agyemang and by no means actually appeared again.
Matko Miljevic added the hosts’ third simply previous the hour mark to assist the U.S. declare victory although the Venezuelans pulled one again by substitute Jorge Yriarte afterward. It was the primary profession worldwide strike for all three USMNT gamers.
Listed below are a number of fast takeaways from Saturday’s victory.
Play of the sport
The match was a glorified preseason sport — La Vinotinto was additionally lacking most of their typical starters, and the U.S. had simply 10 days of coaching to organize following the prolonged MLS offseason — however McGlynn’s thirty seventh minute objective was legitimately all-world.
The 21-year-old Philadelphia Union man took a sq. cross from debutant Caden Clark, appeared up, and hit a 30-yard rocket along with his left foot that visiting keeper Wuilker Faríñez had no probability to avoid wasting.
Turning level
McGlynn’s strike opened issues up; with Venezuela urgent ahead attempting to seize a direct equalizer, Agyemang’s tally got here simply two minutes later.
The sudden multi-goal lead modified the sport and made for a back-and-forth second half that featured two extra rating adjustments, a lot to the delight of the 18,000-plus followers in attendance at Inter Miami’s dwelling venue.
Earlier than the guests lastly bought on the board, Miljevic made up for his early penalty miss with a scientific end previous Faríñez:
Key stat
Saturday’s victory marked the primary January win for the U.S. since 2022. The U.S. misplaced its year-opening encounter to Serbia in 2023 and to Slovenia final 12 months.
The three factors the Individuals earned three years in the past got here in a World Cup qualifying match in opposition to El Salvador in Columbus, Ohio, although they misplaced their subsequent qualifier in Canada a number of days later.
What’s subsequent for the USMNT?
The Individuals will shut out their two-game January slate with one other exhibition on Wednesday in Orlando in opposition to a well-recognized foe, Concacaf rival Costa Rica. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino mentioned the day earlier than Saturday’s contest that his plan was to present all 20 gamers remaining in camp a chance to play in not less than one of many two video games, so anticipate a considerably totally different beginning 11 in opposition to the Ticos.
Afterward, all of the U.S. gamers apart from Argentine-based midfielder Miljevic will return to their MLS golf equipment forward of the home league’s thirtieth season, which begins in late February.
Doug McIntyre is a soccer author for FOX Sports activities who has lined the United States males’s and girls’s nationwide groups at FIFA World Cups on 5 continents. Comply with him at @ByDougMcIntyre.
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