It was colder than expected in Orlando on Wednesday but the United States men's national team brought the heat, defeating Costa Rica 3-0 to close out January camp. Brian White opened the scoring with his first USMNT goal after getting on the end of a great Diego Luna assist and the Real Salt Lake fingerprints continued with Emeka Eneli assisting Caden Clark's insurance goal in the second half. Patrick Ageymang's star also continues to rise as he became the first player to score multiple goals during this January camp with his powerful finish coming off the bench.
Luna showed impressive grit during the match after taking an elbow to his face and possibly suffering a broken nose, but he lobbied to stay in the match immediately delivering an assist. Pochettino did say that Luna is someone who will be in consideration for the future which is an important aspect here. Luna is someone who brings something that only Gio Reyna does at the senior level currently. With a direct style of play, great vision, and the ability to link up with attackers, he could be one of the biggest winners of this camp alongside Jack McGlynn and Ageymang.
Mauricio Pochettino's men continued their perfect start to 2025 and have now scored six goals in two matches while allowing only one. Costa Rica had their chances but Zack Steffen, behind an experienced defense, stood tall to keep them at bay. Pochettino pushed these players beyond their comfort zones by doing things such as using DeJuan Jones in an Antonee Robinson role and Miles Robinson at right back, and while they didn't always work, it helped accomplish a major goal during this camp.
The manager has been able to learn more about depth players in this roster while leading the longest camp so far during his time as manager. It wouldn't be surprising to see some of these players end up in the Gold Cup or Concacaf Nations League down the line which would be a truly successful marker for a camp taking place outside of a FIFA international window. Pochettino commented on how the entire team impressed him during this camp which is exactly what you want to hear with him looking at this domestic based roster for the first time.
Next up for the USMNT will be the Conacacaf Nations League semifinals where they'll face Panama on March 20.
It's another strong performance from the USMNT as they close out January Camp with a bang. They had three different goal scorers and a strong performance from Zack Steffen in net to end a perfect camp. It was a slower start to facing Venezuela but two second half goals were critical to establishing their dominance.
That was a powerful finish from the Charlotte man to send the match to a 3-0 score. Three minutes of stoppage time remain.
Now it's time for Caden Clark's first USMNT goal after a great bit of awareness from Emeka Eneli. He may be a defensive minded midfielder but that doesn't mean that Eneli can't be a playmaker too.
The forward was impressive against Venezuela and now he'll enter for Brian White to close out this match against Costa Rica. With the USMNT searching for a goal, his direct style will help.
Jack McGlynn wants a penalty but instead gets a yellow for simulation. While that seems harsh, the USMNT also needs to make their chances count with only three shots on target from their nine total so far.
This will see Miles Robinson exit as a natural right back checks in for the USMNT. This should help balance things as Costa Rica has found a bit too much joy in the match.
Costa Rica may have two goals, it's a big game for the USMNT man on his 80th cap. He may only have two saves so far in the match but they've been massive ones.
Costa Rica will allow chances that the USMNT can take advantage of in build up but similarly to the first game, the lack of familiarity between the players shows when they get into the final third. There are more goals to come in this one though.
Matko Miljevic, Caden Clark, and Jack McGlynn will enter in the second half as the USMNT makes changes introducing the players who shined in the first match. Diego Luna will exit after his assist considering that he picked up a bloody nose alongside Brian Gutierrez and Benjamin Cremaschi.
It has been a nervy end to the half so at this point, it'd be nice for the USMNT to go into the break maintaining the lead. Considering that three players started the first match and this one, some early changes could be coming for Pochettino at the half.
The USMNT keeper has had to make two big saves to deny Costa Rica but the latest on Costa Rica's dipping ball was a flash of pre-injury Steffen. The USMNT defense has been shaky as we draw closer to halftime in Orlando.
The USMNT's danger is growing as Ream's flick found Brian White and Alvarado was strong in saving it. Every chance that the USMNT has they're creating danger and White & Luna are at the center of everything.
It's a first international goal for the Vancouver Whitecaps man and it was assisted by none other than Diego Luna. A great run to break down Costa Rica and then a solid first time finish to put the USMNT ahead.
Luna plays a great one touch pass that Gutierrez got onto to create a corner. So far the best attacking chance for the USMNT as they're beginning to work their way into the match.
It's already three for the Ticos in the first seven minutes of play. It's good defending practice for the USMNT but they'll want to get the attack going to ease some of the pressure.
DeJuan Jones is showing that he can get forward with ease but Costa Rica is also pressing as this won't be an easy team to break down under Miguel Herrera.
It's a sparse crowd but also a loud one so far in Orlando for this match.
Costa Rica may have a new manager in Miguel Herrera but facing a talented young USMNT squad, there will be enough firepower to pick up a second consecutive victory. Pick: USMNT 3, Costa Rica 1
Zack Steffen is back between the sticks for a very experienced defense while the entire attack is youthful. Only three starters are the same from the opening match as Pochettino has opted to rotate heavily.
USMNT Starting XI vs. Costa Rica: 22-Zack Steffen; 12-Miles Robinson, 3-Walker Zimmerman, 13-Tim Ream (Capt.), 5-DeJuan Jones; 14-Emeka Eneli, 6-Benjamin Cremaschi; 19-Indiana Vassilev, 10-Diego Luna, 17-Brian Gutiérrez; 8-Brian White
Substitutes: 1-Patrick Schulte,21-Matt Freese, 7-Patrick Agyemang, 11-Matko Miljevic, 15-Max Arfsten, 16-Jack McGlynn, 18-Shaq Moore, 20-George Campbell, 23-Caden Clark
We've got a fun lineup tonight from the USMNT as they prepare to face Costa Rica in Orlando. Diego Luna will start at the 10 and it's also a chance to see Miles Robinson at right back but it'll be interesting to see if he's actually playing as a center back in a back three. No matter what, Pochettino is getting an extended look at these players which is the goal of this camp.
