USA men’s soccer vs Guinea 3-0: Quarterfinal bound for the first time in 24 years

Tim Howard closes up his thoughts on commentary and he’s spot on: the USA are heading into the knockout rounds full of confidence.

After scoring seven goals across their wins against New Zealand and Guinea, the USA attackers will be full of belief against Morocco.

“This is how you want to finish. You want to really show what you’re made of. Difficult opening loss to the probably the best team in the tournament in France. They have shown they are about this tournament and they are ready to get to the final stages,” Howard said.

“They’re special and there is a togetherness in this group. What we don’t usually see from U.S. teams is winning going away. Scoring goals, keeping clean sheets, making the game look comfortable and easy. That is a big credit to Marko Mitrovic and the way he has his team set up and playing.”

That is also a very good point about their opening defeat to France. They played well in the opener but the second half saw them blown away by a few moments of individual magic.

Howard also praised Kevin Paredes, who scored twice and along with Griffin Yow and Paxten Aaronson created so many chances and looked so sharp in attack as they pressed Guinea.

“What is special about Kevin Paredes is he has magic in his boots. He likes to fly forward and we see that he has flair and he likes to dance and he smiles and I love that about him,” Howard explained. “But what we don’t see with young wingers is them going the other way and doing the dirty work. He does it. He doesn’t throw his hands up, he doesn’t complain. He gets back on the shoulder of his full back, he does the work that needs to be done and then he flies forward. He’s got this entire package and we don’t often see that with flair players.”

Based on what we’ve seen elsewhere in this tournament so far, there is nothing for this USA side to be scared of.

They have a very tough task against Morocco coming up and then possibly facing Spain in the semifinals, but they’re right in the mix.

A dominant win for the USMNT U23s in Saint-Etienne and they have qualified for the quarterfinals of the Olympics.

It’s the first time the men’s side has reached the knockout rounds since Sydney in 2000 when a teenage Landon Donovan was making his mark.

Paredes score twice and Mihailovic scored a stunning free kick as the USA coasted against Guinea and their attacking display in the first half set the tone.

The USA’s quarterfinal against Morocco in Paris on Friday is going to be very tough and a big step up on these last two group stage wins against Guinea and New Zealand.

But Marko Mitrovic’s side have done the job expected of them after the group stage draw was made and after spending time in Marseille and Saint-Etienne for their opening three games, they’re now heading to Paris to kick off the knockout rounds.

A cross comes in and Cherif Camara is unmarked and powers a header towards goal from six yards out.

But Patrick Schulte is there to make a marvellous stop as he pushes the ball over the bar.

Tim Howard on co-commentary for us would have been proud of that one. Brilliant stop to preserve the shutout for the USA.

The job is basically done so we can start talking about who the USA will play in the quarterfinals on Friday.

As Group A runners up they will play Group B winners Morocco on Friday at 9am ET.

Morocco have been superb so far, beating Argentina 2-1 in that wild encounter and then somehow losing to 10-man Ukraine late on.

They hammered Iraq 3-0 to win Group B and in Achraf Hakimi as their captain, they have probably the best right back in the world leading their charge. And Hakimi will love playing at his club stadium for PSG this Friday.

Soufiane Rahimi is the tournament’s top goalscorer with four goals and Morocco have an incredible fanbase in France and every game is like a home game for them.

The Parc des Princes, the venue for the final, will be like a home game for Morocco.

McGlynn pings the ball out to the right flank and Paredes cuts inside and hammers an unstoppable shot into the net.

The second of the game for Paredes and the third for the USA.

They are absolutely flying in Saint-Etienne and all signs point to Paris for a quarterfinal on Friday.

In Group A’s other game in Marseille, hosts France have gone 3-0 up against New Zealand.

Doue scored the second and Kalimuendo-Muinga scored the third.

That means the USA are basically through to the quarterfinals.

By the way, France winning Group A (with three wins from three) means they will face Argentina in the quarterfinals.

The two favorites are set to collide on Friday in Bordeaux.

The USA are closing it out now.

They’ve gone to a back five to defend this 2-0 lead ant that is very sensible.

Tim Howard is asking for Tessmann and Paredes to come off soon as both are on yellow cards and another yellow would see them miss the quarterfinal.

A big round of applause for Paxten Aaronson and Griffin Yow after a brilliant attacking display from that duo.

They were sensational in the first half and set the tone for the USA to build a comfortable lead. Their energy, direct running and clever passing, along with Paredes, was a joy to watch.

Aaronson and Yow deserve a rest before the potential quarterfinal on Friday.

McGuire and Booth are on in their place.

Nearly a third for the USA as Harriel’s header from a corner looks like it is looping in.

But substitute goalkeeper Mory Keita makes a really good stop to tip it over the bar.

Harriel is so dangerous in the air, and so are most of the USA’s defense with Zimmerman and Robinson up there too.

Guinea aren’t exactly creating chances but the USA are sitting too deep.

Marko Mitrovic looks a bit pensive on the sidelines.

Even though his team are 2-0 up, he will want a bit more.

The USA are struggling with energy levels and with three group stage games in less than week, this is tough on the players.

Two subs early in the second half for the USA and Mihailovic and Dietz are out in midfield.

Dietz was on a yellow card and Mihailovic can be rested.

Atencio was named as an alternate and is making his Olympics debut as he was called up to the squad after an injury to Busio.

Abdoulaye Toure drills a low shot on goal which Schulte saves and Guinea have had a few decent chances at the start of the second half.

The USA need to regain control here.

One goal for Guinea and all of a sudden it gets very interesting.

The longer the USA can hold on the more Guinea will have to risk it and pile forward and that will leave huge gaps on the counter.

Well, the USA dominated the first half and as they say the stats don’t lie.

The USA actually had way less possession than Guinea but they were so ruthless and clinical when chances arrived.

Here are a few key stats which caught out eye:

• Shots: USA 10, Guinea 7
• Shots on target: USA 7, Guinea 2
• Possession: USA 41, Guinea 59
• Shots inside the box: USA 6, Guinea 1

Pretty much the perfect first half from the USA.

Mihailovic’s fine free kick set them on their way and Paredes slotted home a second.

Yow, Paredes and Aaronson have been exceptional for the USA in attack.

Guinea have had a few corners and shots from distance but that’s about it.

If it stays like this the USA men’s side are heading to the knockout rounds of the Olympics for the first time since 2000 in Sydney.

The USA hit Guinea on the counter and they are so close to a third goal.

Paredes skips away from his marker and plays a delicious cross to the front post which Yow attacks.

The young striker, who plays for Westerlo in Belgium’s top-flight, tries to squeeze the ball in at the near post but for the second time in this half he hits the post.

The USA’s front three are buzzing around all over the place and Tim Howard on commentary keeps using the word “magic” to describe them. That is spot on.

Guinea have finally woken up and have had a few shots blocked and a couple of corners which caused danger.

The first corner looked like it hit the arm of Dietz, but after a VAR check no penalty kick was awarded.

The second corner was headed over from close range.

Guinea having a go now. They have to. Things are set up perfectly for the USA to pounce on the counter.

That is a lovely goal from the USA.

Paxten Aaronson picks up the ball and slots through a perfect pass for Kevin Paredes.

He’s in-behind the full back and clean through on goal and Paredes calmly slots home.

Sensational play from the USA and they are running away with things.

Guinea had a few moments out wide as they looked to get back in the game but nothing is really happening for them.

They are really missing Keita.

The USA are now keeping the ball and trying to double their lead.

Oh, here we go, Paredes clips in a cross to the back post which finds Yow and his shot hits the post and Sylla saves. That was a difficult opportunity for Yow but he didn’t quite catch it cleanly.

What an incredible free kick from Djordje Mihailovic, who bends it up and over the wall and the goalkeeper can’t keep it out.

The USA lead 1-0 against Guinea and that is totally deserved.

Mihailovic now has two goals at the Olympics, and only Peter Vagenas (3 goals) has more goals than him in USA Olympic men’s soccer history.

Guinea are just giving up so many chances to the USA.

Aaronson has a shot which deflects off a defender and Sylla pushes it wide. From the corner Harriel’s header is over.

Guinea then give the ball away cheaply again and the USA are all over them as Yow wins a free kick in a dangerous area. The free kick is headed back across goal by Walker Zimmerman and Guinea clear.

There is no way Guinea can keep giving the ball away out of the back like this. The USA are swarming all over them.

Wow. This is a very strange one.

Naby Keita was listed in Guinea’s starting lineup but their star midfielder and captain is not out there.

Amadou Diawara is wearing the armband and Ousmane Camara, No. 11, is starting ahead of Keita.

Keita had to pull out just before kick off. Keita was the flag bearer for Guinea in the Olympics opening ceremony.

Oh dear, Guinea goalkeeper Soumaila Sylla gives the ball away straight to the USA.

Griffin Yow doesn’t need a second invitation to shoot and he hits a rasping effort which is on target but Sylla makes a fine stop to tip it over.

Poor start from Guinea as they look shaky on the ball and the USA are looking sharp and pressing high early. Good signs.

The national anthem is played and the U.S. players look properly fired up.

Tim Howard on commentary is excited to see the front three of Yow, Paredes and Aaronson and so are we.

Here we go...

Okay, we’re nearly ready to get going in Saint-Etienne for USA vs Guinea and this is all about one thing for the USA men’s soccer team: advancing to the quarterfinals.

Via NBCOlympics.com, the scenarios below show the U.S. are in control of its own destiny, and there are three ways the U.S. can advance to the quarterfinals:

• Win against Guinea
• Tie against Guinea and New Zealand ties or loses to France
• Lose to Guinea and New Zealand lose to France

If the USA lose to Guinea and New Zealand draw or get a win against France, they’re out.

If the USA lose heavily to Guinea and Guinea finish with a better goal difference than the USA then they are also out.

A reminder of what the USA are up against today.

Guinea’s captain is Naby Keita, the former Liverpool midfielder, and he has played 56 times for the full national team, scoring 11 goals. Keita is one of their overaged players and the other two are Anderlecht midfielder Amadou Diawara and Le Havre midfielder Abdoulaye Toure.

This is the second time Guinea’s men side have qualified for the Olympics, as they reached Mexico City 1968 but were knocked out in the group stage.

In case you were wondering, the full Guinea’s men’s national team are currently ranked 77th by FIFA. In contrast the USA men’s team is ranked 16th.

The full Guinea men’s national team have never qualified for a World Cup but they did finish runners up in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976 and they reached the AFCON quarterfinals in 2023.

USA captain Tanner Tessmann, who has been excellent so far at the Olympics and definitely looks set to make the step up to the full national team consistently, is out on the pitch at Saint-Etienne and is all business.

What a setting for this group stage finale.

In case you were wondering, it’s pretty warm in Saint-Etienne.

Current temperature just before kick off is 90 degrees with a high of 96 recorded in Saint-Etienne today.

The weather conditions are definitely going to impact the tempo of this game.

How have Guinea not got a single point on the board so far?

They played so well in their opener against New Zealand but wasted glorious chances, and they pushed hosts France all the way last time out and had two goals chalked off for just being offside and had several big chances go so close to hitting the back of the net.

Naby Keita is their captain and main man and if they can replicate the energy and attacking impetus they showed in the first two games, they’ll cause this USA defense plenty of problems, especially with runs in-behind the center backs.

Guinea starting lineup:

Sylla; Cisse, Soumah, M. Keita; Balde, Toure, Diawara, Diallo; N. Keita, Bah, Moriba

The USA starting lineup is in and Marko Mitrovic has made two changes from the team which beat New Zealand last time out.

One is enforced as Gianluca Busio is out with the injury he suffered in the first half against New Zealand. Maximilian Dietz comes in for him in midfield.

Up front Duncan McGuire drops to the bench and Griffin Yow starts in his place and could actually play out wide with Paxten Aaronson starting centrally. The idea is probably to have Kevin Paredes, Aaronson and Yow all interchanging and to give the USA plenty of threat on the counter.

Here’s the full USA starting lineup:

Schulte; Harriel, Robinson, Zimmerman, Tolkin; Dietz; Tessmann, Mihailovic; Paredes, Aaronson, Yow