The U.S. men's national team kicks off the new year with an international friendly against Venezuela.
After a two-month break, the Stars and Stripes are back in action under Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine successfully led the USMNT past Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals in his first two competitive matches in charge and now gets to start his first full year with his new squad.
The USMNT's first challenge of 2025 comes against La Vinotinto. Pochettino will be unable to call on most of his preferred starters for the international friendly, including Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie, who are all busy with domestic duty in Europe. Instead, plenty of fresh faces from MLS will represent the Stars and Stripes against Venezuela.
The international friendly might not mean much on paper, but it is only one of two opportunities for the USMNT to gain match experience ahead of the Concacaf Nations League semifinals in March.






