USMNT boss Pochettino focuses on MLS talent for January games
The United States will face Venezuela and Costa Rica in two friendly (non FIFA sanctioned) matches.
The United States national team’s roster for the January camp was announced on Monday by new head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The squad will convene in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and prepare for two friendly matches against Venezuela and Costa Rica later this month.
Given that the games fall outside the official FIFA international schedule, the Argentine coach will have to focus on local US based talent with high profile stars such as Pulisic, McKennie etc. not being released by their respective clubs.
As a result, the squad for the tests against Venezuela and Costa Rica will feature locally based players with the new domestic MLS season getting underway in mid February. The USMNT face Venezuela at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium (Saturday, 18 January) with the test against Costa Rica coming the following Wednesday (22 January) in Orlando.
Pochettino will be given an invaluable opportunity to evaluate a new set of players with the 2026 World Cup looming next year with the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup next on the agenda in terms of major international competitions.
The squad features a mix of familiar faces such as, Zack Steffen, Tim Ream, Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson or Jesús Ferreira but also includes newer faces such as: Patrick Schulte, John Tolkin, Jack McGlynn or Caden Clark.
USMNT squad for January
Goalkeepers
Drake Callender (Inter Miami), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids).
Defenders
Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), George Campbell (CF Montréal), DeJuan Jones (Columbus Crew), Shaq Moore (FC Dallas), Jalen Neal (CF Montréal), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati ), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC).
Midfielders
Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami), Emeka Eneli (Real Salt Lake), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union).
Forwards
Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC), Caden Clark (CF Montréal), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas), Brian Gutiérrez (Chicago Fire), Matko Miljevic (last team: Newell’s Old Boys), Indiana Vassilev (St .Louis CITY), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps).
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