The USA men’s soccer team heard the criticism following their 2024 Paris Olympics defeat to hosts and tournament favorites France, and responded with a heavy beat-down of New Zealand, 4-1 in Marseille on Saturday.
[ LIVE: How to watch USMNT vs New Zealand ]
The victory puts the USMNT youngsters 2nd in Group A ahead of France vs Guinea later in the day. Barring a truly shocking result in that game, the Americans will control their own destiny in their final group game, against Guinea on Tuesday (1 pm ET). A win will send them through; a draw would likely do the same, though it would potentially bring the result of France vs New Zealand into the equation.
Djordje Mihailovic got the scoring party started early, converting from the penalty spot in the 8th minute, and Walker Zimmerman bagged what turned out to be the winning goal just four minutes later. Marko Mitrovic’s side started brightly against France, admittedly on the back foot, but they had loads more of the ball against New Zealand, and they made it count.
[ MORE: 2024 Paris Olympics soccer schedule & results ]
Far from happy with the 2-0 lead, the Yanks kept applying pressure and eventually got a third (and fourth) goal for their efforts. Gianluca Busio fired home from 10 yards out in the 30 minute, but the former Sporting KC and current Venezia midfielder was forced off with an apparent hamstring injury just five minutes later.
Paxten Aaronson finished a fantastic move by substitute forward Griffin Yow in the 58th minute, receiving the ball, turning and finishing in one fell swoop at the near post. Yow, who is 21 years old, had seven goals and five assists for Westerlo in the Belgian first division last season.
New Zealand grabbed a late consolation goal through Jesse Randall in the 78th minute.
USA vs New Zealand final score: 4-1
Goalscorers: Djordje Mihailovic (8' - PK), Walker Zimmerman (12'), Gianluca Busio (30'), Paxten Aaronson (58'), Jesse Randall (78')
For the first time ever, four goals for the USA men’s soccer team at the Olympics.
3 GOALS IN 30 MINUTES.🔥 #ParisOlympics
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2024
📺 USA and Peacock pic.twitter.com/q3w4VZR0o9
They had two or three cracks at it from inside 10 yards, and eventually Walker Zimmerman smashed it home to double the lead.
The first American goal in men’s soccer in 16 years.
Djordje Mihailovic scores the United States men's first Olympic goal in 16 years to take the lead over New Zealand! 🔥 #ParisOlympics
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2024
📺 USA Network and Peacock pic.twitter.com/3LlxnYW8xA
USA
Schulte - Harriel, Zimmerman, Robinson, Tolkin - Tessmann, Busio, Mihailovic - Paredes, Aaronson, McGuire
New Zealand
Paulsen - Bindon, Surman, Boxall, Sutton - Bell, Garbett, Singh - Bayliss, Herdman, Waine