![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/static-assets.bleacherreport.net\/img\/\/atoms\/svg\/icons\/x-icon.svg\" "\\"Soccer\\""){kind=icon}
<\/a>Featured Columnist IV<\/span><\/span>January 18, 2025<\/span><\/header>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/media.bleacherreport.com\/image\/upload\/x_425,y_202,w_1371,h_915,c_crop\/w_40,h_27,c_fill\/v1737234530\/zjilr3eslw7l6z8vgkrg.jpg\" "\\"Soccer\\"")
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<\/span>Omar Vega\/Getty Images<\/span><\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Playing their first match of 2025, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team defeated Venezuela 3-1 in an international friendly at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Union midfielder Jack McGlynn and Charlotte FC striker Patrick Agyemang each scored goals late in the first half to put the United States up for good in their senior national team starting debuts.<\/p>\n Since European clubs are not in the midst of an international break, the USMNT was without most of its top stars, including Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKinnie, Timothy Weah and Matt Turner.<\/p>\n The squad was made up almost entirely of MLS players, and six of the 11 starters earned their first cap as a member of the senior national team Saturday.<\/p>\n The USA squandered a golden opportunity in the third minute of the match when Matko Miljevic was denied on a penalty kick, and there was no scoring for the first 36 minutes.<\/p>\n However, McGlynn broke through in the 37th minute with a long-range, left-footed blast to put the USMNT up 1-0:<\/p>\n U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team @USMNT<\/span><\/p>\n WHAT A MOMENT. WHAT A GOAL!<\/p>\n Jack McGlynn puts us ahead in style!#USMNT<\/a> x @VW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/2lVHMGRURJ<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Just two minutes later, Agyemang took a feed from Miljevic and confidently beat Venezuelan goalkeeper Wuilker Far\u00ed\u00f1ez to extend the lead to 2-0:<\/p>\n U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team @USMNT<\/span><\/p>\n UNSTOPPABLE from Patrick Agyemang to double the lead!#USMNT<\/a> x @VW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/BxMB1B16Lx<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n In the 61st minute, Miljevic got some retribution for his earlier penalty miss by scoring in his USMNT debut as well:<\/p>\n U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team @USMNT<\/span><\/p>\n MATKO MAKES IT THREE!#USMNT<\/a> x @VW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rYaMiY3x25<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Given the youth on the USMNT roster, several fans took to X to praise the performance of the up-and-coming players and the team as a whole:<\/p>\n Typical Gator @GatorTypical<\/span><\/p>\n Man, when it rains it pours for the USMNT I guess!<\/p>\n And both from first time ain’t players no less.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Perry Laskaris @PerryLaskaris<\/span><\/p>\n USMNT kids club has looked good today. Could easily have three or four goals.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Casey A. Unger \uea00 @Caunger11<\/span><\/p>\n Two goals in 2 minutes for @USMNT<\/a> you love to see it! #USMNT<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n The Queen City Soccer Show @QCSPod<\/span><\/p>\n @USMNT<\/a> putting foot on the gas now. So freaking stoked our boy! pic.twitter.com\/Xju85pYYNQ<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Thomas ???????? @USKeeper<\/span><\/p>\n Fun watching the #USMNT<\/a> attacking the Venezuela defense.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Mauricio Pochettino was named the USMNT manager back in September, replacing Gregg Berhalter, and he scored his fourth victory in five matches at the helm Saturday.<\/p>\n The 52-year-old Argentinian previously managed several high-profile clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and he was chosen as the head coach to take Team USA to the next level.<\/p>\n The USMNT has seemingly played a more aggressive, attacking style during his brief tenure, and that was on full display once again Saturday, as the Americans dominated play with 66 percent of the possession and 10 shots on goal compared to Venezuela’s three.<\/p>\n With the United States playing an exciting brand of soccer, Pochettino received his proverbial flowers from many on social media Saturday:<\/p>\n Abacus @DanAbacus1<\/span><\/p>\n It’s taken less than 6 games for #Pochettino<\/a> to demonstrate what a terrible choice #Berhalter<\/a> was for @USMNT<\/a> & it’s an indictment of @ussoccer<\/a> to have continued with him This is the most positive the USA have looked since 1994 Unfortunately we will soon lose Poch<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Brandon Quinlog @raiderman94<\/span><\/p>\n Poch has already proven hes FAR FAR FAR better a coach than what Berhalter EVER was…<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n $\u00e5\u00efk\u00f0 @joelthesaiko<\/span><\/p>\n IN POCH AND PAT WE TRUST https:\/\/t.co\/1zl1Lj7Jlg<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n kevmcfc98 @kevbmx98<\/span><\/p>\n Poch has done it again ????????<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Jake Foley???????????? @JFoMMATalk<\/span><\/p>\n In Pochettino We Trust pic.twitter.com\/9GMCvI3qmf<\/a><\/p>\n