USMNT Ends Camp with 3-0 Costa Rica Win

 Brian White and Caden Clark net first career goals, while substitute Patrick Agyemang scores his second in as many matches. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen shines with three saves and a clean sheet in his first USMNT appearance since March 2022. The team now boasts a 5-1-0 record under Pochettino.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2025) – A brilliant first-half connection between striker Brian White and a resilient Diego Luna, along with a standout return by goalkeeper Zack Steffen, powered the U.S. Men’s National Team to a well-earned 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in a friendly at Inter&Co Stadium. The match, played before 13,580 fans, marked the conclusion of a successful January camp for the USMNT.

Caden Clark and Patrick Agyemang added second-half goals, securing the team’s second win in four days, following a 3-1 triumph over Venezuela on Jan. 18 in Fort Lauderdale. The USMNT improved its historical record against Costa Rica to 20W-17L-6D, with a dominant 20W-6L-4D on home soil, and maintained an impressive 5W-1L-0D under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

With an emphasis on player evaluation, Pochettino made significant lineup changes. Only Miles Robinson, midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, and winger Brian Gutiérrez remained from the starting XI against Venezuela. Steffen, earning his first cap since March 2022, anchored the defense alongside captain Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman, who reunited in central defense for the first time since the 2022 World Cup.

Costa Rica, under new coach Miguel Herrera, showcased a mix of experience and youth, including four international debutants. Despite an aggressive start with three corners in the opening minutes, the U.S. weathered the pressure. Zack Steffen’s composure in goal and an eventual offensive surge allowed the Americans to dictate the game, highlighted by Gutiérrez’s close attempt hitting the side netting in the 13th minute.

The ascending U.S. Men's National Team endured a minor setback when playmaker Diego Luna was forced to the sideline after taking an inadvertent elbow from Costa Rica's Creichel Pérez. However, Luna quickly returned to the match, donning a fresh white jersey and cotton up both nostrils. Moments later, the Real Salt Lake midfielder was pivotal in setting up Brian White’s opener.

Luna received a pass from DeJuan Jones, advanced 20 yards, and then threaded a perfect through ball splitting three Tico defenders. White controlled it with one touch into the penalty area and sent a low, left-footed shot to the inside-right netting in the 21st minute. The goal marked White’s first USMNT strike, making him the oldest player to score his first international goal since Matt Besler in 2016.

White nearly had a second in the 27th minute, but Costa Rican goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado cleared his shot off the line. Steffen made a crucial save in the 37th minute, diving to his left to deny Alejandro Bran's dipping shot. The first half concluded with a vital recovery from Miles Robinson, who thwarted a dangerous Josimar Méndez in stoppage time.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino made several changes after halftime, bringing on Jack McGlynn, Matko Miljevic, and Caden Clark. Miljevic and McGlynn had both impressed against Venezuela, and Miljevic played a key role in setting up White for a promising chance in the 53rd minute, though White’s shot missed the target.

Steffen was again called into action in the 56th minute, making a stunning save to deny a goal-bound shot from Allan Cruz, a former FC Cincinnati midfielder. The match saw several substitutions and yellow cards disrupt the flow, but in the 77th minute, Emeka Eneli’s quick thinking led to Caden Clark’s first USMNT goal. After recovering the ball from Bran, Eneli fed Clark at the top of the box, and Clark fired a first-time shot into the net.

In the final minute, Jones and substitute Patrick Agyemang combined for a brilliant goal. Jones curled a precise ball into Agyemang’s path, and the Charlotte FC striker hammered it past Costa Rican goalkeeper Anthony Walker from a tight angle. Agyemang had also scored in the previous match against Venezuela.

Steffen, who made three saves, earned his 12th career shutout and was named Michelob Ultra Man of the Match. Pochettino's first January camp was a success, with eight players earning USMNT debuts, five scoring their first international goals, and the team securing two victories.

The next challenge for the USMNT will be in March, as they defend their Concacaf Nations League crown against Panama in the semifinals at SoFi Stadium in California on March 20, with the final and third-place match following just three days later.