WHAT A MOMENT. WHAT A GOAL!
Jack McGlynn puts us ahead in style!#USMNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/2lVHMGRURJ
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) January 18, 2025
Agyemang scored on his debut two minutes later, finishing a one-man fast break by outrunning his defensive mark before catching Faríñez with his legs akimbo for a tidy nutmegged finish. The goal saw Miljevic get credited for an assist, as his defensive disruption sprung the ball free into Agyemang’s path.
“Such a surreal moment,” Agyemang told TNT after the game. “I think every kid dreams to make a debut for their national team. To be able to score, I can’t put it into words. I think the excitement is still there. I can’t even believe it.”
Miljevic got a debut goal of his own in the 64th minute, progressing the ball into the attacking third and passing wide to McGlynn before running toward the top of the box and placing a finish to Faríñez’s far post.
All players to debut Saturday were: Agyemang, Miljevic, George Campbell (defender, CF Montréal), Max Arfsten (defender, Columbus Crew), Brian Gutiérrez (midfielder, Chicago Fire), Caden Clark (midfielder, CF Montréal), Emeka Eneli (midfielder, Real Salt Lake) and Indiana Vassilev (forward, St. Louis City).
An emphatic introduction
Agyemang could not have made a stronger first impression under Pochettino. The Charlotte forward was among the biggest breakout domestic players in the 2024 MLS season, scoring 10 goals and adding five assists, outperforming his expected goals by +1.74.
The 24-year-old striker carried that momentum to start 2025 off right. His movement frustrated the Venezuela defense throughout his 65-minute shift, from the drawn penalty two minutes into the match to his goal just over half an hour later.
UNSTOPPABLE from Patrick Agyemang to double the lead!#USMNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/BxMB1B16Lx
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) January 18, 2025
After the game, Agyemang was all smiles speaking with the TNT pitchside analysts. After USMNT legend Damarcus Beasley gave a helpful hint as to how to hold the broadcast microphone, the striker spoke about the confidence Pochettino seemed to display ahead of his debut.
“Obviously, it’s a little intimidating coming into your first camp,” Agyemang said. “Pochettino told me straight away, ‘I like your game. I want you to play exactly how you know to play. Don’t have to feel pressure to do anything specific. Know your defensive roles, but at the end of the day, just show what you can do.’ And I was able to do stuff.”
Striker is among the strongest and deepest positions in the USMNT pool these days. Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent and Ricardo Pepi are regularly called into camps and scoring with their clubs when healthy, while Brandon Vázquez returned to MLS to ensure he was a club’s main man during the final 17 months before the 2026 World Cup.
Still, Agyemang could feasibly work into Pochettino’s plans in short order. Standing 6-feet-4, he became the tallest USMNT goalscorer in eight years and is a threat to win aerial balls given his size. However, he profiles more closely to Balogun’s approach to the role, a more finesse-based forward who can sprint past any opponent and prefers having the ball played to his feet rather than winning headers in the box and in build-up like Pepi, Sargent and Vázquez.
(Photo: John Dorton / ISI Photos / USSF / Getty Images)
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Publish date : 2025-01-18 10:26:00
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