The Union’s Jack McGlynn sparks the USMNT to a 3-1 win over Venezuela

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Patrick Agyemang and Matko Miljevic scored in their international debuts, Union midfielder Jack McGlynn got his first national team goal, and the United States beat Venezuela 3-1 on Saturday in a friendly between teams missing their regular starters.

McGlynn and Agyemang scored about two minutes apart late in the first half and Miljevic, whose third-minute penalty kick was saved, struck in the 64th minute.

McGlynn connected on a left-footed strike from about 30 yards in the 37th minute, Agyemang deflected a shot off goalkeeper Wuilker Faríñez not long afterward and the Americans were off and running. Milijevic scored on a counter, joining Agyemang to raise the total to 61 players who scored in their U.S. debuts.

“Jack scored a very nice goal and he played 90 minutes, and played really well,” U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino said. “I think I am happy with all the performances of the players that started, and the players that came from the bench.”

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Jorge Yriarte scored in the 68th minute for Venezuela, winless in eight games since it beat Jamaica in the group stage of the Copa America last June.

The U.S. won for the fourth time in five matches since Mauricio Pochettino took over as head coach last year, including 3-0 at home.

The match was not on a FIFA international date, and defenders Miles Robinson and Shaq Moore were the only U.S. starters who entered with more than two international appearances.

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January camp could be a springboard toward consideration for the 2026 World Cup. Top players will return for the CONCACAF Nations League final four in March, but the roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June and July could include many of the younger players in camp this month hoping for larger roles.

DaMarcus Beasley, Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, DeAndre Yedlin and Landon Donovan are among the players whose national team careers were boosted by January camps.

The U.S. controlled much of the match and had a chance to grab the lead after Daniel Pereira’s foul in the penalty area. Miljevic, a Miami-born forward, didn’t have much on the spot kick he tried pushing past Faríñez’s left side.

But he scored a nice goal, assisted from McGlynn from a left-sided spot similar to where he plays for the Union. McGlynn is the only player whom the club released to the U.S. camp, since the club has a new manager in Bradley Carnell and started its preseason with a trip to Spain.

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Six U.S. starters made debuts before a crowd of 18,008: left back Max Arfsten, central defender George Campbell, wingers Brian Gutiérrez and Carden Clark, along with Miljevic and Agyemang at forward. Emeka Eneli and Indiana Vassilev made debuts in the second half.

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and midfielders Benjamin Cremaschi — an Inter Miami regular, playing on his usual home field — started in their second international appearances.

Venezuela gave debuts to four starters: left back Anthony Graterol, midfielder Bryant Ortega, winger Jovanny Bolivar and forward Gleiker Mendoza. Maurice Cova, Edson Tortolero, Thomás Gutiérrez, Edson Tortolero and Jorge Yriarte made their debuts as substitutes.

The U.S. plays Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday.

Inquirer staff writer Jonathan Tannenwald contributed to this report.

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