Tue Jan 07 14:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Pochettino Calls Up 23 MLS Players for USMNT January Camp
**Orlando, FL –** USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has announced a 23-player roster comprised almost entirely of Major League Soccer players for a January 2025 training camp. The camp, Pochettino’s first, will feature friendlies against Venezuela on January 18th and Costa Rica on January 22nd, both at MLS stadiums.
The decision to prioritize MLS players reflects the league’s off-season schedule, allowing a larger pool of talent to be assessed. European-based players are unavailable due to the camp falling outside a FIFA international window. Pochettino emphasized the importance of MLS to the national team’s development, stating, “MLS is very important to the national team project, and these players have earned this opportunity.”
The roster includes a mix of experience and youth. Four players – Jesús Ferreira, Shaq Moore, Tim Ream, and Walker Zimmerman – were part of the 2022 World Cup squad, with Ream, the most capped player in the camp (66 appearances), currently serving as team captain. Eight players have previous youth national team experience, and seven are receiving their first USMNT call-up. The roster represents 15 different MLS clubs, with Columbus Crew and CF Montréal each contributing three players.
The January camp serves as a crucial step in the USMNT’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as well as the upcoming Concacaf Nations League Finals and Gold Cup. The friendlies against Venezuela and Costa Rica provide valuable opportunities for Pochettino to evaluate his roster and implement his tactical strategies.
First Piper 