A closer look at the players seeking their USMNT debuts this month

01/13/2025 02:11 PM

The U.S. men’s national team’s first of several camps this year is already well underway, and several players will be seeking to make their international debuts in the coming days.

Out of the 24 players that head coach Mauricio Pochettino called into the January camp, 10 of them have yet to make their senior debuts for the program. From Brian Gutierrez to Matt Freese, many of these players will seek a positive kickstart to their year, knowing their club schedules are right around the corner.

The January USMNT camp has constantly provided an early opportunity for players that could very well be part of the long-term plans of the program. While the scorelines against Venezuela and Costa Rica this month won’t be taken into account too much, the performance by the USMNT as a whole will certainly be evaluated.

Here is a closer look at the 10 USMNT players seeking their senior debuts:

Brian Gutierrez

For being 21 years old, Brian Gutierrez already has a lot of minutes under his belt.

Gutierrez is heading into his sixth MLS season with the Chicago Fire and will now have the chance to work with former USMNT head coach, Gregg Berhalter. The dual-national midfielder has scored 10 goals and added 20 assists in 120 MLS appearances, logging over 7,000 minutes to date in league play.

A former USYNT player, Gutierrez brings creativity and an eye for goal to the mix.

Matko Miljevic

Matko Miljevic’s club future remains unknown, but the Miami-born midfielder will have his first USMNT opportunity this month.

Miljevic, 23, has played most of his club career in Argentina and is eligible to represent them on the international level. An attacking midfielder, Miljevic most recently logged 22 appearances for Newell’s Old Boys in 2024.

Personal issues have gotten in the way of Miljevic’s development on the field, but he is a talented player and Pochettino will try and get him back on track.

Patrick Agyemang

24-year-old Patrick Agyemang has been one of the modern-day success stories to come through the collegiate ranks.

The Connecticut-born forward excelled at the University of Rhode Island before also featuring in USL League Two. Agyemang was drafted No. 12 overall by Charlotte FC in 2023 and has proceeded to score 21 goals in 55 combined appearances between Charlotte and MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, Crown Legacy FC.

Agyemang is a powerful forward who could bring something new to the USMNT attacking corps.

Indiana Vassilev

Indiana Vassilev began his career at English Premier League side Aston Villa, but after not breaking into the first team plans, has become a consistent player in MLS.

The 23-year-old forward remains with St. Louis CITY SC ahead of his third season with the club. Vassilev, a former USYNT player, has totaled 10 MLS goals in over 100 combined appearances between St. Louis and Inter Miami.

Vassilev can play a number of different roles, but I’d expect to see him out wide this month.

Drake Callender

Drake Callender has quickly become one of MLS better goalkeepers in the last three seasons.

Callender, 27, has totaled 144 appearances for Inter Miami from 2022-24, keeping 14 clean sheets and earning multiple USMNT call-ups. While Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez attract the bright lights in Fort Lauderdale, Callender has certainly played his part in the Herons recent success in multiple competitions.

He could very well fight for the USMNT’s No. 3 job in 2025 but will have to fight off competition from others.

Matt Freese

Another goalkeeper seeking his USMNT debut is 26-year-old Matt Freese.

Freese is coming off of his most productive club season yet, making 34 appearances for NYCFC. After coming through the Philadelphia Union pipeline, Freese mainly served as a backup to Andre Blake, but also saw some playing time in the Jamaican’s absence.

Standing at 6-feet-3, Freese is a big-bodied goalkeeper who has the ability to stand on his head when called upon.

Max Arfsten

Max Arfsten is an example of MLS NEXT Pro’s importance in the American game.

Arfsten, 23, originally made his mark with Columbus Crew 2 before gradually becoming a key player for the Crew’s first team. He scored five goals and added eight assists in 33 combined appearances last season and was a part of the Crew’s MLS Cup-winning squad in 2023.

Arfsten has mainly served as a wing back for Columbus, but could also slot in as a full back or extra midfielder if needed.

George Campbell

George Campbell looks to have found his new home with CF Montreal.

After originally beginning his MLS career with Atlanta United, the 23-year-old defender moved to Canada in 2023. He’s made 55 appearances for CF Montreal over the past two seasons, scoring one goal and adding four assists.

Campbell has gotten better each year of his club career and will now try to force his way into the USMNT centerback picture.

Emeka Eneli

Diego Luna and others might get the headlines in Salt Lake City, but Emeka Eneli has grown into an important player for Real Salt Lake.

The 25-year-old midfielder was named RSL’s Team MVP in 2024 after setting career-highs in appearances, goals, assists, minutes played and starts. A hardworking midfielder, Eneli has logged over 4,000 MLS minutes in his first two seasons in Utah.

Prior to his move to MLS, Eneli excelled in the Ivy League with Cornell, earning All-Ivy League First Team honors (2021) and Second Team All-American honors (2022).

Caden Clark

Caden Clark has bounced around a lot in his young career but will hope to play a large role in 2025.

The 21-year-old is on his fifth club since debuting for the New York Red Bulls in 2020. After stops at RB Leipzig, Vendsyssel, and Minnesota United, Clark is coming off nine appearances with CF Montreal in 2024.

He scored four goals in those nine appearances with CF Montreal, showing his goalscoring prowess as a midfielder. A former USMNT U-20 standout, Clark is one of several young midfielders that Pochettino will evaluate this month.