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.
Jack McGlynn’s encore, Diego Luna unleashed and five things to watch as MLS-heavy USMNT call-ups look to impress Mauricio Pochettino against Costa Rica
The US Men’s National Team is gearing up for their upcoming friendly against Costa Rica, and the roster is filled with MLS talent looking to make a statement. One player to keep an eye on is Jack McGlynn, the 18-year-old midfielder who has been turning heads with his performances for the Philadelphia Union.
McGlynn has been a standout performer in MLS this season, and many are eager to see if he can carry that form onto the international stage. With his slick passing and composure on the ball, McGlynn could be a key player for the USMNT in their match against Costa Rica.
Another player to watch is Diego Luna, the young forward who has been making waves with his performances for LA Galaxy. Luna has been in scintillating form in MLS, and his pace and finishing ability could cause problems for the Costa Rican defense.
As the USMNT prepares to take on Costa Rica, here are five things to watch for as the MLS-heavy squad looks to impress new head coach Mauricio Pochettino:
1. How will the young MLS talent fare on the international stage? Players like McGlynn and Luna will be looking to prove themselves against top competition, and their performances could have a big impact on their future with the national team.
2. Can the USMNT midfield control the game? With players like McGlynn, Kellyn Acosta, and Gianluca Busio in the squad, the USMNT will be looking to dominate possession and create chances against Costa Rica.
3. Will the defense be able to handle the Costa Rican attack? Costa Rica boasts some dangerous attacking players, and the USMNT defense will need to be on their game to keep them at bay.
4. How will Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics impact the game? The new head coach will be looking to implement his style of play, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to his instructions.
5. Can the USMNT pick up a win against a strong Costa Rican side? Costa Rica is a tough opponent, and a victory would be a great confidence booster for the USMNT as they continue their preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Overall, there is plenty to look forward to in the upcoming match between the USMNT and Costa Rica. With a mix of young talent and experienced players, the MLS-heavy squad will be looking to make a statement and impress Mauricio Pochettino as they continue their preparations for the upcoming international fixtures.
Tags:
- Jack McGlynn
- Diego Luna
- USMNT call-ups
- Mauricio Pochettino
- Costa Rica
- MLS players
- Soccer
- International friendly
- Player performance
- Tactical analysis
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