Miami (AFP) – New coach Mauricio Pochettino will guide the United States against Costa Rica in a January 22 friendly in Orlando, US Soccer announced on Tuesday. The friendly will be one of two in Florida, alongside a January 18 meeting with Venezuela at Fort Lauderdale, as part of the Americans’ annual January training camp.
The matches fall outside a FIFA window for international play, so Pochettino will be evaluating MLS players and younger talent for the US line-up ahead of the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals and Gold Cup, as well as the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
“For a long time, the January camp has been an important part of the development of the national team. It is a unique opportunity to work with our MLS players closely and then finish with a good challenge against Costa Rica,” Pochettino said.
The 52-year-old Argentinian took over as US coach in September, replacing Gregg Berhalter, and won his first match 2-0 against Panama in October. The Americans, who have won all six of their games at the home of MLS’s Orlando City, won their last encounter with Costa Rica 2-1 in a 2021 World Cup qualifying match at Columbus, Ohio.
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