The U.S. national team will complete their January camp with a match against a familiar CONCACAF opponent in Costa Rica
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
U.S. book second January friendly, will face Costa RicaAmericans have a mixed record against U.S. play Venezula in their January camp openerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
The U.S. men's national team have secured the second match in January, scheduling a friendly against Costa Rica on Jan. 22. The match will be played at Inter & Co stadium, the home stadium of Major League Soccer's Orlando City SC. With the friendly scheduled outside of a FIFA window, it is expected MLS and fringe players will largely be on manager Mauricio Pochettino's roster.
Costa Rica has been a tricky opponent for the U.S. in the past, with the Americans having a 19W-17L-6D record against . All of the U.S.'s 19 wins have come on home soil. The U.S. have a perfect 6-0-0 record at Inter & Co stadium.
AdvertisementWHAT POCHETTINO SAID
“For a long time the January Camp has been an important part of the development of the National Team. It’s a unique opportunity to work with our MLS players closely and then finish with a good challenge against Costa Rica,” USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino said in a statement. “Orlando has always been an amazing host for U.S. Soccer and we are excited for another chance to play in front of their fans.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
This should be a good test for Pochettino's side, considering the history. The last time these two teams played, Costa Rica stunned the USMNT on their home ground, with a 2-0 win in a 2022 World Cup Qualifying match.
While neither side will feature their A teams, this tie has always featured a fierce competitiveness to it. This match, along with the earlier game in Fort Lauderdale against Venezuela, will be pivotal for several MLS players who are trying to make their case for the 2026 World Cup.
This is the last set of friendlies prior to actual competitive matches in the Nations League finals in March and CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer.
Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?
The 2022 World Cup featured nine players who made their first or second USMNT appearances in January camp, including Tyler Adams, forward Brenden Aaronson, and defenders Walker Zimmerman and Tim Ream. Also former American legends, and 100 cap members, Jozy Altidore, DaMarcus Beasley, Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan all got their starts in January camp.
