Chase Stadium- The USMNT ran past a tough Venezuela squad in a friendly on Saturday afternoon by a 3-1 margin led by Jack McGlynn, Patrick Agyemang, and Matko Miljevic goals. The crowd of 18,008 enjoyed an entertaining game despite both teams not having their top players available for the friendly match. Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi got the nod from Mauricio Pochettino and started the match in his home stadium.
.#USMNT will line up in a 4-2-3-1 with local player Benjamin Cremaschi getting the start in the midfield…
Pochettino will get a good look at the young players today….#MLS #InterMiamiCF #LemonCityLive
https://t.co/dTCXVP7xrF— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) January 18, 2025
Match Action
Early in the match, Patrick Agyemang was very active and was fouled inside the Venezuela box by defender Daniel Pereira for the penalty kick infraction. McGlynn and Miljevic both vied to take the penalty kick, with Miljevic finally taking the shot and having it blocked by Wuilker Farinez. McGlynn later scored a left-footed missile in the 37th minute, which was a thing of beauty, giving Team USA the 1-0 lead. It’s Jack’s first international goal with the US men’s national team.
Jack McGlynn with the left-footed missile puts Team USA 🇺🇸 on the scoreboard…The young lefty is silky smooth & has a cannon…#USMNT #MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) January 18, 2025
Just a couple of minutes later Patrick Agyemang extended the lead with his first career goal for the national team with a subtle left-footed finish past Farinez.
Patrick Agyemang extends the #USMNT lead 2-0…#MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) January 18, 2025
In the 64th minute, Matko Miljevic initiated a quick counterattack that caught the Venezuelan defense flat-footed allowing him to finish the play and score his first goal with the national team.
Patrick Agyemang extends the #USMNT lead 2-0…#MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) January 18, 2025
Venezuela wouldn’t go home empty-handed as Jorge Yriarte banged in a header off a corner kick past Patrick Schulte in the 68th minute. Los Vinotinto played a decent match but fell 3-1 to a young, talented US team.
Jorge Yriarte gets one back for Venezuela 🇻🇪 , 3-1…Strong header by the midfielder…#USMNT
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) January 19, 2025
Thoughts
It was a solid win for Team USA, with some players standing out for various reasons. Jack McGlynn was the “star of the show,” with a majestic goal and a nice assist on the third goal for the US. McGlynn is a rare talent with enormous potential to make a name for himself on the world scene.
Max Arfsten was very active on the left flank for the US, making runs constantly up the field and having a high work rate when defending. The Columbus Crew player did well for himself.
Benjamin Cremaschi doesn’t look flashy but does his job wherever he lines up. Pochettino played McGlynn and Cremaschi as double pivots with Benjamin doing the dirty work. Cremaschi was all over the pitch defensively and collaborated with McGlynn to move the ball out of the back cleanly.
Patrick Agyemang is a physical specimen at 6′ 4″ and has the speed of a gazelle. He’s a diamond in the rough. If he can improve his touch and technical ability he’ll be a major threat.
Finally, George Campbell had a strong game at center-back. Team USA needs quality center-backs to emerge and Campbell shows promise.
Mauricio Pochettino is getting a good look at many young guys during this two-game camp window and after one match, it seems that at least one of them has a good chance of being on the team for the 2026 World Cup.
Team USA 🇺🇸 leads Venezuela 🇻🇪 2-0 at the half…Unspectacular, but the team has been solid with players like Cremaschi, McGlynn, Arfsten , Agyemang, having a good game so far…#USMNT #MLS #InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/3PwPqEil66
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) January 18, 2025
More Stories
2024 Inter Miami Postseason Review; A Look Back In Retrospect
Orlando City Magic Season Takes Plunge, Shattered By Red Bulls
Lionel Messi Named 2024 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player