The Winners and Losers of USMNT January Camp

By
Kelvin Loyola
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The USMNT’s recent January camp certainly made waves among USMNT fans, with the U.S. delivering two commanding performances in lopsided victories. More importantly, the camp introduced several fresh faces that could be key to the national team’s future.

One of Mauricio Pochettino’s main tasks in 2025 will be to identify new talent for the United States men’s national team. With a core group that has remained largely unchanged and untested when fighting for roster spots for the past six years, bringing in new blood is imperative for the 2026 World Cup and beyond.

This objective is why 2025’s January camp is far from a typical “Camp Cupcake,” in which the typical “A” team squad is absent in lieu of players from MLS or other leagues out of Europe’s top five.

While core players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson, and others were indeed absent from January camp, it gave Pochettino a chance to try some new faces and get a better feel of the depth of the country’s talent pool.

The pair of January friendlies saw a strong 3-1 victory over a disorganized Venezuela and a 3-0 win against an unrefined Costa Rica. Five different players saw the back of the net in these games, with four of them hailing from MLS, which gave the Argentine manager a glimpse of the untapped value in the league — something that could prove significant in March when the full national team sets its sights on claiming a fourth CONCACAF Nations League title.

Here’s a look at the players who stood out and a few who may have missed their chance after the USMNT’s January camp successes.

The Standouts

Patrick Agyemang

Without a doubt, the player who made the most noise was Patrick Agyemang. The Charlotte FC striker demonstrated that he could be a viable scoring threat, whether starting or coming off the bench. Agyemang possesses a combination of qualities that Pochettino is sure to value: speed, size, and a penchant for finishing.

While Agyemang may not be a starter ahead of Ricardo Pepi or Folarin Balogun, he has certainly earned a place as an option, especially when compared to other forward choices like Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, or Jordan Pefok.

Diego Luna

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Poch says Diego Luna has big balls after playing vs. Costa Rica with a broken nose 😅 #usmnt #usa #costarica #pochettino #worldcup

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Despite returning to Salt Lake City with a broken nose following the Costa Rica match, Diego Luna left a lasting impression with his determination to stay on the field and his brilliant assist. Luna is cut from a different cloth than many USMNT players: small, compact, and built like a bull. His tenacity could provide the grit and fight often lacking in a polished, physically slender USMNT midfield.

Zack Steffen

The former USMNT go-to starting keeper has found tough times in recent years, but Zack Steffen delivered an outstanding performance against Costa Rica, and if the current crop of goalkeepers continues to languish on the bench or struggle at the club level, Steffen may find himself back in the national team fold.

Honorable Mentions

Further down the depth chart, Jack McGlynn impressed with his midfield play, but unless something extraordinary happens, his opportunities may be limited for 2026. Maximilian Arfsten also showed promise, but with the U.S. seemingly set on their wingbacks, his role remains uncertain for now.

Other notable players include Emeka Eneli and Caden Clark. While they showed flashes of potential, their chances of breaking into the senior team at this moment are slim.

Those Who Missed the Bus

Matko Miljevic

Despite scoring, Matko Miljevic remains an inexplicable call-up. What is a former MLS player, who was cast out of the league for ridiculous reasons and was last playing for a mid-tier team in Argentina, doing on the USMNT?

The U.S. Soccer press corps displayed a lack of backbone in their coverage of Miljevic. Complaints about his inclusion were relegated to social media, and no one pressed Pochettino about the decision during press conferences, merely glossing over it. While it’s understandable that Pochettino wants players with whom he can easily communicate, Miljevic doesn’t seem to fit the mold. The USMNT holds more prestige than handing caps to players with questionable attitudes.

Matt Freese

Despite the hype surrounding him, goalkeeper Matt Freese didn’t play a single minute in either of the two friendlies. At 26 and still not playing in Europe, his chances of breaking into the senior team now seem increasingly remote. With Steffen and Patrick Schulte emerging as key options, Freese’s window appears to be closing.

Brian Gutiérrez

A player with potential, Brian Gutiérrez didn’t make the impact needed to push for a spot in an already crowded midfield. Despite what could be his only full national team appearance, Gutiérrez didn’t show enough to suggest he’s ready to compete for a spot. As of now, he seems more like a 2030 project than a near-term contributor.

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