Costa Rica friendly provides another opportunity for an inexperienced USMNT group to impress Pochettino ahead of 2026 World Cup
The first game of the U.S. men's national team's January camp went about as well as it could have. A young, inexperienced USMNT squad squashed a young, inexperienced Venezuela squad 3-1 on Saturday. What mattered most, though, were the individual performances.
For those who shined, the opportunity to impress Mauricio Pochettino isn't over. And for those who didn't? There's another shot.
The USMNT will be back in action on Wednesday night in Orlando, where they'll face Costa Rica in the final game of this January camp. The squad is unchanged, with the same MLS-heavy 21-player group still in camp and looking to make their mark ahead of much bigger games down the line.
Some have capitalized on the opportunity – Jack McGlynn, Matko Miljevic and Patrick Agyemang, for starters. All three stepped up in the win over Venezuela, as all three scored their first international goals. Others, though, will hope Wednesday is their turn.
GOAL looks at five things to watch when the USMNT face Costa Rica.
Getty ImagesMcGlynn's follow-up performance
Jack McGlynn was about as good as he could be against Venezuela. The Philadelphia Union midfielder showed everything that makes him special over the course of one game and then, just for good measure, scored a legitimate USMNT goal of the year contender in the program's first game of 2025. Anyone who has seen him has witnessed his ability to strike and pass a ball. Goals like that only reinforce McGlynn's potential.
Following that up? It won't be easy but, if McGlynn does put in a similar performance against Costa Rica, heads will be turned. McGlynn looks set for a breakout. He's already played nearly 100 MLS games for the Philadelphia Union, establishing himself as a starter for his hometown club.
The next leap is from starter to star, though, and then from star to USMNT contributor. On Saturday's evidence, he may already be there. Out of every outfield player in this squad, McGlynn seems the most likely to stick for March's CONCACAF Nations League run with the A-Team.
Another standout performance would certainly make his case stronger. McGlynn has so much to gain in this camp, and this is another chance to show why he deserves even more.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhich veteran centerbacks get a look?
The Venezuela game was a good one for Miles Robinson. He's one of several defenders in the mix for a starting centerback spot and, based on what Pochettino has said, playing in MLS won't keep him out of that race. The FC Cincinnati star was strong in that game, so he'll remain in the mix.
He's not the only experienced centerback in camp, though. There are two World Cup veterans here fighting for their own spots, and both could get minutes against Costa Rica.
Walker Zimmerman came in for a two-minute cameo at the end of the Venezuela game, making his first appearance under Pochettino. It didn't amount to much. He passed the ball around a few times and had literally nothing to do defensively. There wasn't much time to make a first impression, to put it lightly. He'll likely get his shot on Wednesday. If not, that will be a pretty good indication of where he stands in all of this.
As for veteratn Tim Ream, it seems he's more secure. He's already played under Pochettino multiple times and has more than justified his continued place with this team. Ream is 37, though, so the falloff will come at some point. So far, we haven't seen it.
Could both start on Wednesday? Will one partner Robinson as they push for their own chance? Ultimately, these three are pushing to be ahead of Mark McKenzie, Chris Richards or Cameron Carter-Vickers come March. We'll get a decent of idea of what Pochettino's thinking.
Getty Images SportIs it Luna's time?
Diego Luna won the 2024 Young Player of the Year award in MLS by electrifying Real Salt Lake's attack. It's time to really see if he can do that for the USMNT in an extensive runout.
Luna was given 25 minutes on Saturday and, in those 25 minutes, he showed flashes of his ability. He made several dangerous runs forward, took people on and created a chance on goal. He looked aggressive and confident, and he should feel that way after his performances this past MLS season. Luna is a true No. 10, a player that can pull strings and open up games for his team.
Thus far, though, Luna has played a a mere 102 minutes in a USMNT shirt. He played just 28 minutes for the U23 and was controversially left out of the Olympic squad last summer. We just don't have enough data on Luna at the international level, but it seems like time.
Just 21, Luna might not be fully ready to contribute to a real USMNT attack. There are so many good players when this group is at full strength and, even with his success in MLS, there's no guarantee his creativity will translate. The only way you can know is if you try, and it's certainly a good time to give Luna that chance. He has the potential and seems to have the ability.
Getty Images SportDoes Schulte start again?
Patrick Schulte started the first game in goal, as expected. Does he get another go in game two?
It would make sense given the current status of the USMNT depth chart. Matt Turner is still the No. 1 goalkeeper, but given his club situation, that isn't a permanent state of affairs. Schulte he could challenge Turner for that spot, which is why he could get another start.
Still, the fact is this: Schulte has just three USMNT caps to his name. He is still so new to this, much like Turner was last cycle. Turner, though, was given a good run of games leading up to the World Cup – will Schulte get the same? Maybe not, because there are other goalkeepers also looking for a chance to impress.
Matt Freese was one of MLS' best last season, and he'll hope a USMNT debut can springboard him forward into contention. Zack Steffen is in camp, and, after his own 2022 World Cup disappointment, he's hungry to get another shot at that starting spot. The decision will have ramifications on the goalkeeping picture, which remains one of they big talking points on the USMNT's road to 2026.
