A Classic CONCACAF Opponent

First Match Against Costa Rica Since the World Cup Qualifying Defeat

The U.S. Men's National Team will host Costa Rica in Orlando and for over nearly five decades of competition, the two nations have fought to a remarkably balanced head-to-head record: 19 US wins, 17 Costa Rica wins with 6 draws across 42 meetings since their first encounter in 1975, a match Costa Rica won 3-1.

The rivalry's most defining characteristic has been the extraordinary power of home field advantage. Costa Rica's dominance in San Jose has been particularly noteworthy - the Americans have never won a competitive match on Costa Rican soil, with their struggles epitomized by a series of crucial World Cup qualifying defeats. From Bruce Arena's tenure in the early 2000s (where his teams scored just one goal while conceding seven in three losses) to Jurgen Klinsmann's 4-0 defeat in 2016, and most recently a 2-0 loss in March 2022, the Ticos' home fortress has remained impenetrable.

The U.S. has enjoyed similar success at home, posting a strong 15-5-4 record on American soil. This includes the famous "Snow Classico" in March 2013, when Clint Dempsey's goal gave the U.S. a 1-0 victory in blizzard conditions in Denver - a match that has become legendary in the rivalry's lore. Dempsey holds the record for most goals scored in the fixture with four.

Recent years have featured several memorable encounters: a dramatic 2-1 U.S. comeback victory in Columbus during 2022 World Cup qualifying, powered by goals from Sergino Dest and Tim Weah (a Leonel Moreira own goal); Costa Rica's emphatic 2-0 win in Harrison that helped derail the Americans' 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign; and a series of decisive U.S. home friendly victories between 2019-2021, including a commanding 4-0 win in Sandy, Utah.

The rivalry's even nature challenges the traditional narrative of CONCACAF being dominated by just the U.S. and Mexico. Despite having a fraction of the population, Costa Rica has consistently proven themselves equal in this matchup, particularly during the last two decades as they've established themselves as a regular World Cup participant, highlighted by their remarkable quarterfinal run in 2014.

A Victory to Open 2025

Young Stars Shine as USMNT Cruises Past Venezuela in 3-1 Win

A trio of first-time scorers led the U.S. Men's National Team to a 3-1 victory over Venezuela on Saturday at Inter Miami's Chase Stadium, giving head coach Mauricio Pochettino his fourth win in five matches since taking charge.

In a match featuring numerous new faces, Philadelphia Union midfielder Jack McGlynn broke the deadlock in the 37th minute with a spectacular long-range strike. The 21-year-old seized his opportunity when finding space outside the box.

"I found myself in a good pocket with a lot of space in front of me, and thought, why not? I have a good shot," McGlynn explained after the match. "I tried it, and thank the Lord it went in."

Charlotte FC forward Patrick Agyemang doubled the lead just two minutes later, marking his international debut with a clinical finish past Venezuelan goalkeeper Wuilker Faríñez. Matko Miljevic, who had earlier missed a penalty in the second minute, redeemed himself with a spectacular individual effort in the 64th minute, becoming the first Argentina-based player to score for the USMNT.

Venezuela's Jorge Yriarte pulled one back with a header in the 68th minute, but it wasn't enough to spoil an encouraging performance from the American side, which dominated possession and put nine of their 13 shots on target.

"Today, not only did we see good players and a good performance, we played like a team," Pochettino said. "We are so happy."

The match, played outside the FIFA international window with a roster comprised mainly of MLS players, gave Pochettino valuable insights into his player pool. The coach estimates he's expanded his selection options from 25-30 players to nearly 50 for the upcoming year, crucial information ahead of the Nations League finals in March and this summer's Gold Cup.

Weah Seals Juventus Victory

Winger Came off the Bench to Nab Fifth Serie A Goal of the Season

Timothy Weah delivered a masterclass moment on Saturday, scoring a crucial goal to help Juventus secure an impressive 2-0 victory over AC Milan at the Allianz Stadium. The American winger's 64th-minute strike, which came after some brilliant footwork to evade defender Fikayo Tomori, put the game beyond Milan's reach and helped the Bianconeri climb to fourth place in Serie A.

The goal showcased Weah's growing confidence and technical ability in open space, as he expertly controlled a pass from Marcus Thuram before driving a low shot past goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The strike held special significance for the 24-year-old, coming almost 26 years after his father George's last goal in this derby – a remarkable piece of footballing symmetry that adds another chapter to the Weah family's rich Serie A legacy.

"Tonight is incredible, a deserved victory because we always work well," Weah said. “The coach asked me to make the difference even when I come off the bench. I did it and I’m happy.”

Juventus' victory, their first in five matches, helped maintain their unbeaten run in Serie A this season, with their record now standing at eight wins and thirteen draws from twenty-one matches. The win was particularly sweet given their recent elimination from the Supercoppa Italiana semifinals at Milan's hands.

The match also featured several other American connections, though with mixed fortunes. Christian Pulisic, who has been in outstanding form for Milan this season with ten goals across all competitions, was forced to miss the clash due to a muscle injury picked up during midweek against Como. While the injury is not expected to keep him sidelined for long, it comes as a setback for the 26-year-old who had already missed several weeks last month with a calf problem.

Weston McKennie, Weah's teammate at Juventus, continued his solid form, this time playing as the right-back in a four-man system, further showing his versatility this season. Meanwhile, Yunus Musah, who has been establishing himself as a regular presence in Milan's midfield this season, struggled to make his impact in the right-midfield position.

The victory marks a significant moment for Weah, who has now scored five goals this season for Juventus, matching a feat previously achieved by his fellow Americans Pulisic and McKennie in Serie A. As the season progresses, the Brooklyn-born forward's growing influence could prove crucial in Juventus' pursuit of Champions League qualification.

Adams Excellent in Victory

Midfielder's Strong Performance Helps Bournemouth Stun Newcastle in Rout

Tyler Adams delivered a commanding midfield performance on Saturday, helping Bournemouth secure an impressive 4-1 victory over Newcastle United at St James' Park. The American midfielder registered his first Premier League assist of the season and played a crucial role in maintaining what he describes as the team's "controlled chaos" approach.

Adams' highlight moment came when he won possession deep in Newcastle territory before setting up Justin Kluivert's hat-trick goal, demonstrating the aggressive pressing style that has become Bournemouth's trademark. The American completed 90 minutes of action, making four tackles and recording two interceptions.

Speaking after the match, Adams provided insight into Bournemouth's tactical approach: "It's a controlled chaos. We want to make the game as chaotic as possible but controlled for us. We try and overwhelm the opponent as much as possible but for us it feels normal."

The victory was particularly impressive given Bournemouth's extensive injury list, with nine first-team players sidelined. Adams, who has now made 13 appearances this season after returning from his own lengthy injury layoff, praised the team's depth and mentality.

The result extends Bournemouth's unbeaten Premier League run to ten matches and moves them to sixth place in the table, just one point behind Newcastle. Adams' performance exemplified the high-tempo, aggressive style that has made Bournemouth one of the season's surprise packages.

Richards Continues to Perform

Crystal Palace Earn Another Victory With Richards Making Fourth-Straight Start

Chris Richards delivered another commanding defensive performance as Crystal Palace secured an impressive 2-0 victory at West Ham on Saturday, marking their second consecutive clean sheet under manager Oliver Glasner.

The U.S. international, making his fourth-straight Premier League start, was instrumental in limiting West Ham to zero shots on target throughout the match. Richards' positioning and aerial presence were particularly noteworthy, as he won 50% of his aerial duels and made four headed clearances to help nullify the hosts' attacking threats. 

Now that Trevoh Chalobah was recalled from his loan, Richards has been operating as part of a back three alongside captain Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix. Richards demonstrated his composure on the ball, completing an impressive 90% of his passes (52/58). His distribution from the back helped Palace maintain control of the game. One of Richards' key moments came in the second half when he made a vital block to deny Danny Ings after Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta had failed to clear a set piece.

The victory, secured through Mateta's second-half brace, extends Palace's unbeaten away run to seven Premier League games and moves them up to 12th place, now 11 points clear of the relegation zone. The clean sheet was particularly notable as it marked Palace's first back-to-back shutouts under Glasner's reign.

Richards' recent run in the team has coincided with an impressive upturn in Palace's form, with three wins and a draw from their last four matches. His consistent performances have helped solidify a defense that frustrated a West Ham attack that, despite missing several key players, still posed a significant threat on paper.

Four Players Unavailable Against Venezuela

The USMNT's January camp roster has been significantly reduced, with four players departing ahead of Saturday's friendly against Venezuela. The departures represent a mix of fitness concerns, transfers, and minor injuries.

Jesús Ferreira, recently traded to Seattle Sounders from FC Dallas, was released to focus on regaining full fitness. The 24-year-old striker, who has 15 goals in 23 international appearances, was limited to just 22 MLS matches last season due partly to an abdominal injury. He'll join Seattle's preseason camp before their departure to Marbella, Spain.

Defender Jalen Neal, who just completed a significant transfer from LA Galaxy to CF Montréal, is experiencing a minor undisclosed issue. The 21-year-old Lakewood native represents a success story of the Galaxy's development system, having progressed from their U-13 academy to becoming an MLS Cup champion. The $650,000 transfer to Montréal includes a new three-year contract with an option for 2028.

John Tolkin's departure was attributed to him finalizing a transfer from New York Red Bulls to Holstein Kiel in Germany.

The fourth departure came when goalkeeper Drake Callender returned to Inter Miami due to a minor muscle issue requiring evaluation and treatment.

These departures leave the USMNT with 20 players for the Venezuela match. Given that these friendlies fall outside FIFA's international windows, limiting the availability of European-based players, these losses further reduce Pochettino's options. U.S. Soccer has not yet decided whether to bring in replacements for any of the departed players.

US Plays First Match of 2025

The USMNT enters 2025 ranked 16th in FIFA's rankings and carries momentum from successful qualification to both the 2025 Concacaf Nations League finals and Gold Cup. Under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, they've posted a solid 3-0-1 (WDL) record, including perfect results on home soil.

This January camp roster, traditionally focused on MLS-based players, represents a chance to expand the player pool ahead of a critical year. The 21-man squad features considerable youth and inexperience – ten players are uncapped, and the attacking corps has a mere four combined international appearances. Only veteran defenders provide significant international experience, led by Tim Ream (66 caps), Walker Zimmerman (42) and Miles Robinson (30).

The team has shown potency in recent matches, demonstrated by their 5-2 aggregate victory over Jamaica in November's Nations League quarterfinals. Ream has worn the captain's armband in all of Pochettino's matches, with the team going 10-3-1 under his leadership.

Several players arrive with interesting storylines. Patrick Agyemang's rise from Division III college soccer to MLS success with Charlotte FC (10 goals in 2024) exemplifies the developmental pathways being discovered. Five squad members competed in the 2024 Olympics in France, while goalkeeper Zack Steffen returns to the national team, seeking his first cap since World Cup qualifying in March 2022.

The January camp has historically proven vital for USMNT player development – since the 2002 World Cup cycle, 30 players who earned their first or second caps in January camps have gone on to make World Cup rosters. Nine members of the 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar, including key players like Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson, got their start in these winter gatherings.

'Scouting' Report: Venezuela

Venezuela is unique among South American nations, as baseball rather than soccer historically dominated the sporting culture. They were late to join FIFA (1952) and remain the only CONMEBOL nation never to qualify for a World Cup. However, La Vinotinto (nicknamed for their burgundy jerseys) has made significant strides since 2000, reaching as high as 25th in FIFA rankings and consistently advancing in recent Copa América tournaments.

Currently ranked 47th, Venezuela started their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign promisingly but has since struggled, sitting 8th in CONMEBOL with a 2-6-4 (WDL) record. Under Argentine manager Fernando Batista, they typically deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation that emphasizes technical ability and quick transitions, with fullbacks pushing forward into wide spaces.

Historically, Venezuela has struggled against the US with a 1-2-3 (WDL) record against the Americans. Most recently, they earned their only win over the US in 2019. For the US, it was an embarrassing 3-0 defeat before the Gold Cup. Their current Venezuela squad features several MLS-based players, including Atlanta United's Ronald Hernández and Austin FC's Daniel Pereira.

Juventus Duo with Different Weeks

 One Recorded an Assist While the Other had a Loan Bid Rejected

In the midst of transfer speculation, Juventus has firmly rejected RB Leipzig's approach for Timothy Weah, underlining the American's importance to manager Thiago Motta's plans. Having missed out on Noah Okafor, the German club made an inquiry about a potential loan with an option to buy for the versatile 24-year-old winger. However, Juventus made it clear they have no intention of parting ways with Weah, who has contributed four goals and two assists in Serie A this season.

Meanwhile, Weston McKennie continues to prove his worth to the Bianconeri, delivering another impressive performance in Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Atalanta. After a stint filling in at left back for four consecutive matches, McKennie returned to his preferred box-to-box midfield role and made an immediate impact. The 26-year-old American showcased his technical ability by controlling a long pass and setting up Pierre Kalulu for the opening goal in the 54th minute. The assist was McKennie's third of the season, complementing his four goals in what has been a strong campaign for the midfielder.

"We always play to win, every game, it's a moment when it's important to stay united, all together," McKennie said. "I'm fine, now we have to focus on the next game and move forward playing as always to win. We have to do more to win because Juventus must always be at the top and to get to that position we have to win these games."

This weekend's clash between Juventus and AC Milan carries extra significance following their recent meeting in the Super Cup semi-final, where Milan emerged victorious under new manager Sergio Conceicao. Juventus will be eager for revenge, but they'll need to overcome their tendency to draw matches – they've shared the points in 13 of their 20 Serie A games this season. Despite being the only unbeaten team in the league, these draws have left them sitting in fifth place.

The match represents a crucial opportunity for both teams to climb the Serie A standings. For Juventus, breaking their pattern of draws could prove vital in their quest to return to the Champions League places. The game will be particularly important for Juventus as they look to prove that Milan's Super Cup victory was an anomaly.

Tolkin to the Bundesliga, Departs Camp

 Full Back Signed with Holstein Kiel for 2.5 Million Euros

Former New York Red Bulls defender John Tolkin completed his transfer to Holstein Kiel of the German Bundesliga on Thursday. The deal, reportedly worth €2.5 million ($2.58 million), marks the largest transfer in Holstein Kiel's history and represents an important step forward for the 22-year-old left back.

Tolkin leaves the Red Bulls after an impressive tenure that saw him make 114 MLS appearances, contributing seven goals and 12 assists since his debut in 2021. His consistent performances caught the attention of both the U.S. Olympic team, where he started all four matches in Paris, and the senior national team, where he has earned four caps.

The move comes at a crucial time for both the player and the club. Holstein Kiel, newly promoted to the Bundesliga, currently sits in 17th place and desperately needs reinforcements to avoid relegation. For Tolkin, the opportunity to test himself in one of Europe's top leagues could boost his chances of becoming a regular for the U.S. national team, where left-back depth behind starter Antonee Robinson remains a question mark.

Shortly after the announcement, Tolkin addressed the controversy surrounding his past social media activity, issuing an apology through the club for likes related to various controversial topics. He emphasized his respect for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, with Holstein Kiel expressing confidence in both his sporting and personal character.

To facilitate the transfer, Tolkin departed the U.S. national team's training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the team was preparing for upcoming friendlies against Venezuela and Costa Rica. This move represents a significant opportunity for his development as he becomes the latest American to test himself in German football.