Getting an extended look at depth options during January camp, Mauricio Pochettino named his youngest ever squad as manager of the United States men’s national team and they rolled to a 3-1 victory over Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. While Pochettino would’ve wanted to keep a clean sheet, it’s hard to not be happy with a result that saw three players pick up their first goals for the USMNT while numerous debuts were handed out. It was a match where players from various different backgrounds also showed what they can offer the national team with Jack McGlynn and Matko Miljevic both scoring and assisting goals. Charlotte FC striker Patrick Agyemang also found the back of the net and could’ve had more goals if this team had more time together.
Rust could be seen as these players are getting into regular season form for play in Major League Soccer but with the USMNT playing a composed match and looking for through balls, a proactive style could be seen. This is the longest time that Pochettino has had with a group of players in his brief tenure as manager and the results were evident.
Venezuela may not have had their top team either with this match taking place outside of a standard FIFA international window but that doesn’t mean that players who performed Saturday won’t have a chance to become mainstays under Pochettino.
Next up for the USMNT will be a clash against Costa Rica on Wednesday.
