Live from U.S. 🇺🇸 vs. Venezuela 🇻🇪

Charlotte FC’s Patrick Agyemang could make his first appearance for the U.S. Men’s National Team today. Follow us here and on social media for live updates from Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Charlotte FC forward Patrick Agyemang could get his first “cap” - the soccer term for a national team appearance - as the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) takes on Venezuela in its first match of the year.

Agyemang was called up to the USMNT’s camp on January 6 along with Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream. While the veteran Ream was called up for the first time in 2010, and started all four matches for the U.S. at the 2022 World Cup, this was the first time Agyemang - or any Charlotte FC player, save Ream - was called up to play for the USMNT.

While Ream is expected to play in the team’s matches against Venezuela this afternoon and against Costa Rica on Wednesday, January 22, Agyemang, we don’t know yet if Agyemang has shown USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino enough during camp to secure his place in the starting eleven.

However, Sports Illustrated is bullish on Agyemang’s chances to start at striker, with Max Mallow writing “as Charlotte's only goal scorer to reach double digits last season, Agyemang gets the nod up top for his first senior cap.”

Also helping Agyemang’s chances: this first camp of the year is not during an international break in Europe, so new players aren’t at risk of losing starting spots to big names like Christian Pulisic. Additionally, while seven forwards initially joined the camp, Jesus Ferreira left the camp earlier this week, giving Agyemang one fewer teammate to compete with for a coveted starting spot.

Should he be selected for the roster, Agyemang is looking to bring his unique mix of size, speed, and skill to the match.

“My game is very direct,” said Agyemang at a January 17 press conference in Fort Lauderdale. “I just like to bring a physical game to it, but also try to put [the defense] on the back foot and put the ball in the back of the net.”

Video Courtesy U.S. Soccer

What is a “cap,” anyway?

In the early days of world football, England’s national team had a tradition of awarding a physical hat - a cap - to players who featured for their men’s national team. Players who made the team were considered “capped,” and even as the practice of distributing caps to players waned, the name stuck.

To earn the cap, you have to play in the match - getting called up or making the roster doesn’t count. So, for a player like USMNT captain Tim Ream, to say he’s been capped 66 times means he’s played 66 in matches for the United States’ senior squad (with today expected to be 67).

When Agyemang put on his U.S. kit for the first time, he described it as a “surreal moment.”

“As a player, you always want to at least get called up into your national team camp, it kind of shows that you’re on the right path,” said Agyemang at a January 15 virtual press conference. “Words can’t really explain too much.”

In the Mix

Few American soccer players ever have a year like Agyemang had for Charlotte FC last season. With 10 goals and three assists in 34 matches, Agyemang was the glue that kept the Crown’s offense together through numerous challenges - especially the disappointing tenure of former Charlotte striker Enzo Copetti.

With stronger competition expected for starting positions on Dean Smith’s roster this year, international play is another way Agyemang can make the case to stay in the mix - for both Charlotte, and the 2026 World Cup.

“If [coach Pochettino] feels as if you’re capable of performing at this high level, he’ll pick you no matter what,” said Agyemang on Friday. “I think that gives us a lot of confidence because we know we’re all in the mix no matter what.”

When I profiled Agyemang for Queen City Nerve last year, he elaborated on the style of play that has made him one of the most dangerous forwards in MLS:

“I like to be a force up top. So if the ball’s behind, and I’m running, you better hope you’re in front of me or it’s going to be a long day,” said Agyemang. “Whatever I have to fight for, I’m going to fight for it. I always think when it comes to the crunch time, if I’m there, I’m always going to create something.”

If he brings that attitude today, it may be the start of something special.

United States vs. Venezuela kicks off at 3:00 PM ET, and will be broadcast live from Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on TNT. A streaming option is available on Fubo TV.

Be sure to follow Soccer Sheet on social media for live updates from the match!