USMNT Secures 3-1 Victory in International Friendly with Debut Goals

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The U.S. men’s national soccer team (USMNT) claimed a 3-1 victory in the first of two international friendlies this month, showcasing a heavily rotated squad dominated by Major League Soccer (MLS) players. The match, held Saturday at Chase Stadium, fell outside a FIFA international window, limiting the availability of European-based players.

Goals from Jack McGlynn, Patrick Agyemang, and Matko Miljevic propelled the U.S. to victory. McGlynn opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a stunning left-footed strike from 30 yards out. Agyemang doubled the lead shortly after, deflecting a shot past the goalkeeper. Miljevic, who earlier missed a penalty kick, sealed the win with a counterattack goal in the 64th minute.

Six U.S. starters made their national team debuts, including Max Arfsten, Carden Clark, and Miljevic. The match drew a crowd of 18,008, with additional debuts coming in the second half. The victory marked manager Mauricio Pochettino‘s fourth win in five games since taking charge in September 2024.

“It’s always special to see new players step up and make an impact,” Pochettino said after the match. “This camp is crucial for identifying talent and building depth.”

The USMNT will face another opponent on Wednesday as they continue preparations for upcoming competitions. The January camp has historically been a launching pad for players like DaMarcus Beasley, Jozy Altidore, and Clint Dempsey, who used strong performances to cement their places in the national team.

Despite controlling much of the match, the U.S. missed an early opportunity when Miljevic’s third-minute penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Rafael Romo. However, the team’s depth and resilience shone through as they secured a comfortable win.

The match was broadcast on TNT, Tele, Universo, Max, and Peacock, with the U.S. entering as slight favorites with a -0.5 line and an over/under of 2.5 goals.