Soccer <\/p>\n
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. \u2013 If Mauricio Pochettino wanted more US men\u2019s national team<\/a> squad options, he got them in Saturday\u2019s 3-1 friendly win over Venezuela<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Three players \u2013 Jack McGlynn<\/a>, Patrick Agyemang<\/a> and Matko Miljevic \u2013 scored their first USMNT goals, while eight earned their first senior caps during a one-sided victory at Inter Miami CF<\/a>\u2019s Chase Stadium.<\/p>\n More importantly, they gave Pochettino plenty to think about as the head coach plans for two upcoming tournaments (Concacaf Nations League<\/a> & Concacaf Gold Cup<\/a>) later this year, as well as the main target of his tenure: the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cThis makes us happy, to see players like [Jack], like Benja [Cremaschi], like Guti [Brian Guti\u00e9rrez], like Caden [Clark], like Emeka [Eneli], like Diego [Luna]\u2026 everyone,\u201d the Argentine manager said in Spanish postmatch. \u201cThe truth is we\u2019re happy about their performance.”<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 This gives us a positive feeling to be able to help these kids keep on growing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Arguably the biggest standout of Saturday\u2019s result was McGlynn. The Philadelphia Union<\/a> homegrown midfielder notched a goal and an assist, providing the game\u2019s most exhilarating moment in the 37th minute with a long-range screamer from nearly 30 yards out.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we all agree that technically he\u2019s a special player. We\u2019ve seen how he strikes the ball, his control, the quality of his play, his capacity, his vision,\u201d Pochettino said of the 21-year-old.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 I think he\u2019s a player who\u2019s open [to improve]. He\u2019s got incredible potential.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) January 18, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n McGlynn, who\u2019s coming off a career-best 4g\/7a last season with the Union, gave casual USMNT observers a privileged look at the talented left foot many Philadelphia and MLS fans are already well familiar with.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw Caden [Clark] playing me, I found myself in a good pocket, a lot of space in front of me, and thought: Why not? I have a good shot,\u2019” he said. \u201cSo I tried it, and thank the Lord it went in.\u201d<\/p>\n Just two minutes after McGlynn\u2019s wonder strike, Agyemang marked his USMNT debut with a trademark goal of his own \u2013 harnessing his power and pace to outmuscle defender Francisco La Mant\u00eda before beating goalkeeper Wuilker Far\u00ed\u00f1ez from close range.<\/p>\n \u201cI like to be in isolated positions. The ball came through, I saw it was 1v1, I sized up my defender and I said, \u2018Let\u2019s go on a run,\u2019\u201d said the 24-year-old striker, Charlotte FC<\/a>\u2019s top scorer of 2024 with 10 goals. \u201cSo I ran with the ball, got it to my left foot and saw the keeper come out, and it went in.<\/p>\n “Such a surreal moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n UNSTOPPABLE from Patrick Agyemang to double the lead!#USMNT<\/a> x @VW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/BxMB1B16Lx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) January 18, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n After successfully passing their first test of January camp, the MLS-heavy USMNT will look to close the cycle out on a high note Wednesday night against Costa Rica at Orlando City SC<\/a>‘s Inter&Co Stadium.<\/p>\n \u201cYou wanna ride this momentum. And that\u2019s certainly what I\u2019m going to do,\u201d said Agyemang. \u201cI\u2019m just happy to be in this moment. I\u2019m going to continue enjoying it.\u201d<\/p>\n For McGlynn, it\u2019s all about putting in more performances like this one to stay on the national team’s radar.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re a talented group. We\u2019ve shown a lot in MLS and that\u2019s why we\u2019re here,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I think we showed it today as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nMcGlynn’s moment<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Big Pat delivers<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Hungry for more<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n