ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. men’s national team delivered an impressive performance on Wednesday night, securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Costa Rica during their January camp. The match, held at Inter&Co Stadium, saw goals from Brian White, Caden Clark, and Patrick Agyemang, illustrating the depth and potential of this squad largely composed of MLS players.
Brian White opened the scoring for the U.S. with his first international goal, finding the net in the 21st minute. After dealing with an elbow to the nose just moments earlier, Diego Luna demonstrated remarkable resilience by providing the assist. White, who noted turning 29 on February 3, became the oldest American to score his first international goal since Matt Besler achieved the feat at the age of 29 back in 2016.
U.S. goalkeeper Zack Steffen, making his first appearance since March 2022, made several key stops to keep Costa Rica off the boards. Coach Mauricio Pochettino praised Steffen’s performance, stating, “He performed really, really well,” highlighting his exceptional saves, including one against Alejandro Bran from outside the penalty area and another substantial stop following Allan Cruz's close-range effort.
After holding onto their 1-0 lead at halftime, the Americans expanded their advantage with Clark's goal in the 77th minute. Displaying finesse, Clark smashed home his left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area after receiving Eneli’s assist, marking his first goal for the national team.
With the clock winding down, Agyemang capped off the scoring with another exceptional effort, netting his second goal of the week just before the final whistle. The Charlotte FC striker, who made his debut during the previous match against Venezuela, showcased his capabilities under pressure by finding the back of the net on another well-placed assist from DeJuan Jones.
Steffen, who has faced challenges over the years, particularly missing out on the last World Cup roster, expressed satisfaction with his performance: “It’s always nice to make some of those top-handed saves.” After spending years primarily as Manchester City's second-choice goalkeeper, he joined Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids, where he has been working to revitalize his career.
The U.S. has now elevated its winning streak to four games, marking the first such run since winning nine straight matches back during the 2021 season. This victory over Costa Rica followed another recent positive performance, the 3-1 win over Venezuela, indicating the team's growing confidence.
According to Pochettino, the match allowed him to assess the potential of various less traditional players within the national team framework. “The inclusion of non-traditional players... provides new information about the real level of those players,” he remarked, signifying the importance of player evaluation during this camp.
Costa Rica, under new management with Miguel Herrera at the helm, saw four starting players make their international debuts. They maintained pressure early on, earning three corner kicks shortly after kickoff, showcasing their ambition to mark the occasion positively. Despite the loss, Herrera's arrival adds intrigue to Costa Rica's footballing direction.
With one eye on future competitions, Pochettino will now turn his attention to the February training camps, preparing the U.S. for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League semifinals against Panama on March 20. That match will be significant for the national team, featuring many Europe-based players who are expected to join during this pivotal phase of preparation.
Fans were treated to both drama and skill during this friendly, witnessing players adapt to Pochettino’s high-intensity style of play. This exciting season for the USMNT not only emphasizes the blend of experience and youth but also lays the groundwork for continued national pride as they head toward the 2026 World Cup.