January 18, 2025 (USA) - Mauricio Pochettino called-up an all-MLS roster for the two January international friendlies for the USMNT, as they play host to Venezuela and Costa Rica in Florida - two nations that were victorious against the USA last time they played.
The last time USA hosted these two nations, both matches were held in the state of Ohio: The University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium hosting Venezuela for an International Friendly in 2019, while the Columbus Crew's Lower(dot)com Stadium hosted Costa Rica in 2021.
USMNT Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (4): Drake Callender (Inter Miami; 0/0), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 0/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; 29/0)
DEFENDERS (9): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 0/0), George Campbell (CF Montréal; 0/0), DeJuan Jones (Columbus Crew; 8/0), Shaq Moore (FC Dallas; 19/1), Jalen Neal (CF Montréal; 6/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 66/1), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 30/3), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; 4/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 41/3)
MIDFIELDERS (4): Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami; 1/0), Emeka Eneli (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 1/0), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union; 1/0)
FORWARDS (7): Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC; 0/0), Caden Clark (CF Montréal; 0/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 23/15), Brian Gutiérrez (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Matko Miljevic (Unattached; 0/0), Indiana Vassilev (St. Louis CITY; 0/0), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps; 1/0)
*Italics Indicate First USMNT Call-Up
*UPDATE JAN 15, 2025: "Forward Jesús Ferreira and defenders Jalen Neal and John Tolkin have departed US Men's National Team Training camp in Ft. Lauderdale. A decision on whether to bring replacements will be made in the coming days"
USMNT vs Venezuela
Match Details:
January 18, 2025 - 15:00 EST
Chase Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
TNT, Telemundo, Universo, Max, Peacock
Venezula Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Wuilker Faríñez (Caracas FC), Javier Otero (Orlando City SC)
DEFENDERS (8): Anthony Graterol, Rubén Ramírez, Carlos Vivas (Deportivo Táchira), Roberto Rosales (Deportivo Táchira), Carlos Rojas (Deportivo La Guaira), Francisco La Mantía (Caracas FC), Thomas Gutiérrez (Sportivo Ameliano), Ronald Hernández
MIDFIELDERS (10): Junior Moreno, Maurice Cova (Deportivo Táchira), Juan Pablo Añor (Caracas FC), Gleiker Mendozza (Angostura FC), Erickson Gallardo (Monagas SC), Daniel Pereira (Austin FC), Edson Tortolero (Carabobo FC), Bryant Ortega (Jeddah FC), Jorge Yriarte (Real Murcia CF), Matías Lacava (AC Goianiense)
FORWARDS (4): Jan Hurtado (Boca Juniors), Bryan Castillo (Deportivo Táchira), Saúl Guarirapa (CSKA Moscú), Jovanny Bolívar (FC Kolos Kovalivka)
The 2024 Copa America quarterfinalists are the only CONMEBOL nation to have never qualified for a World Cup before. Currently sitting 8th in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification table with six more matches left, La Vinotinto will look to gain form in 2025 as they try to make the global tournament, hosted in North America in 2026.
The USMNT are undefeated in Ft. Lauderdale, with a 4-0-1 record dating back to 1980, and are 3-1-2 against Venezuela H2H, dating back to 1993.
Most recent matchup:
June 9, 2019 - International Friendly
Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
USMNT 0, Venezuela 3.
Salomón Rondón 16', 36'
Jefferson Savarino 30'
USMNT vs Costa Rica
Match Details:
January 22, 2025 - 19:00 EST
Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL, USA
TNT, truTV, Universo, Max, Peacock
Costa Rica Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Esteban Alvarado (Saprissa), Anthony Walker (Herediano)
DEFENDERS (9): Joseph Mora (Saprissa), Ryan Bolaños (Saprissa), Santiago van der Putten (Alajuelense), Kevin Espinoza (Cartagines), Joseth Peraza (San Carlos), Fernán Faerron (Herediano), Yostin Salinas (Sporting FC), Haxzel Quirós (Herediano), Kenay Myrie (Saprissa)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Rahir Parkins (Alajuelense), Alejandro Bran (Alajuelense), Sebastán Acuña (Saprissa), Aarón Suárez (Alajuelense), Creichel Pérez (Alajuelense), Allan Cruz (Herediano), Mauricio Villalobos (Sanat Ana FC)
FORWARDS (6): Josimar Méndez (San Carlos), Diego Campos (Alajuelense), Anthony Hernández (Puntarenas FC), Randy Vega (Herediano), Andy Rojas (Herediano), Orlando Sinclair (Saprissa)
The most recent meeting between Costa Rica and the USMNT was back in 2022 CONCACAF World Cup Qualification, when Costa Rica defeated the USMNT 2-0 on the final matchday, tying USA on points but falling short of automatic qualification to the Intercontinental Playoff spot due to goal differential. Costa Rica went on to qualify, where they eventually beat Japan in the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. At one point, Costa Rica and Japan were the two teams moving on to the knockouts over UEFA giants Spain and Germany on the last matchday... just for a few minutes. Costa Rica would go on to be grouped alongside Germany in Group E. Since then, long-time captain Keylor Navas retired from the international game.
The USMNT have a perfect record in Orlando, boasting an impressive 6-0-0 record at Inter&Co Stadium. USA have had a fairly even record against Costa Rica all-time, going 19-17-16 against Los Ticos.
Most recent matchup:
March 30, 2022 - CONCACAF World Cup Qualification R3
Estadio Naiconal, San José, Costa Rica
Costa Rica 2, USMNT 0
Juan Pablo Vargas 51'
Anthony Contreras 59'
