Fort Lauderdale, Florida will play host to the U.S. men’s national team’s opening match of 2025.
The USMNT will face off with CONMEBOL side Venezuela on January 18 at Chase Stadium, U.S. Soccer announced Monday. It will be the first January window under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, opening the door for plenty of domestically-based players to feature under the Argentine for the first time.
The match will take place outside of a FIFA international window.
“We are looking forward to the camp in January and the opportunity to get to know many of the MLS players and see all the potential talent we have here in the United States,” Pochettino said. “We are happy to bring the National Team back to South Florida and utilize the great facilities of Inter Miami for this important moment as we continue to build towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
Venezuela reached the quarterfinals of the 2024 Copa America after topping its group with three-consecutive wins. The Vinotintos have continued their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying schedule this month and are currently seventh in the 10-nation standings.
The last head-to-head matchup between the USMNT and Venezuela was in June 2019, which the visitors won 3-0.
2025 will also see the USMNT take part in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, as well as additional matches ahead of the World Cup.
Way to early January roster:
Forwards: White, McGuire
Attackers: Luna, Ferreira, Q. Sullivan, Lucho Acosta, Gutierrez
Midfielders: McGlynn, Bassett, Mihailovic, Cremaschi, Zawadzki, T.Tillman
Defense: Tolkin, Jones, Kessler, MRob, Neal, Akinmboni, Miller, McFarlane (might be in Europe would have to switch off England which seems unlikely currently)
GK: Celentano, Freese, Beavers, Schulte (probably will transfer)
JR
With 6 games to go Venezuela are five points behind Paraguay , who have the sixth and last WC spot at this time.
I wonder who they will send.