There isn’t much for fans of the U.S. men’s national team to latch onto during January camp. But the newcomers who took the field Saturday put on a show as they topped an equally inexperienced Venezuela side, 3-1, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
A stunning goal from Jack McGlynn plus a striker’s hit from Patrick Agyemang put a domestic-based U.S. men’s squad up at halftime, and Matko Miljevic finished off the deal with under a half-hour to go.
The USMNT dominated the match from start to finish and were only denied more goals by a wonderful performance from Wuilker Farinez. The 26-year-old Venezuelan goalkeeper made five saves throughout the match, many of them truly impressive, while denying an early Miljevic penalty as well.
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With the match falling outside an official FIFA international window, the roster was constructed entirely of players based in the U.S. As a result, six starters made their USMNT debuts, while two others got their first international starts.
A number of USMNT players stood out as potentially useful pieces in the future, including the two goal scorers. McGlynn not only scored a sensational strike but was dominant in midfield, helping the U.S. control possession and repeatedly progress the ball forward. He also was excellent on corner duty, repeatedly finding open U.S. attackers on set pieces, and he picked up an assist Miljevic’s counter-attack goal as well.
Agyemang was a true menace up front, following his sophomore MLS season with Charlotte FC where he scored 10 goals. He consistently broke the Venezuela back line with his well-timed runs, and he won the early penalty which Miljevic saw saved.
“Once that ball squeaks through, I’m like, yeah — 1v1, my best position, I love it,” Agyemang said to the TNT broadcast after the match. “I saw the keeper come out and stepped into it, I love getting the shot off my left foot and knew I had the confidence to strike through it.
“I lit up, I love the room when I’m 1v1, and don’t think many defenders like running with me.”
VIDEO: Watch Jack McGlynn’s stunning opener vs. Venezuela | Watch Patrick Agyemang’s goal
The game completely changed late when USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino introduced a number of substitutions past the hour mark, leading to much more Venezuela pressure, but the late slip takes nothing away from the strong 60 minutes.
There were still some enjoyable moments late, like when McGlynn’s “magical left foot” (as former USMNT star and current Philadelphia Union teammate Alejandro Bedoya put it) nearly scored an insane second goal with 15 minutes remaining. His 30-yard sizzler had all of Chase Stadium holding its breath until it sailed just inches wide of the top-left corner.
January camp rarely provides tangible profit to the U.S. first-choice squad due to the lack of first-team regulars who are available for selection. In recent years, the domestic-based talent available has continued to decrease as many regular internationals near the upper end of the depth chart move to clubs overseas.
With a January camp roster lacking much to excite fans, a few players seemed to buck the narrative as they hope to perform at a level that gets them a shot at the first-team level.
Next up is a friendly Wednesday against Miguel Herrera and Costa Rica in Orlando, where Pochettino will eye another positive performance to indicate his tactical approach is trending in the right direction and players show they are valuable pieces for selection in a competitive future window.
