The USMNT makes their triumphant return on Wednesday (3 pm ET), back in the Olympics for the first time since Beijing 2008, and they’ll ease right in against the easiest possible opponent: hosts and gold-medal favorites France.
[ LIVE: How to watch France vs USMNT ]
The under-23 Americans — bolstered by overage players Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson and Djordje Mihailovic — will face France, New Zealand and Guinea in the group stage, with the top two sides from Group A advancing to the quarterfinals.
Head coach Marko Mitrovic was named head coach of the USMNT under-23 side last September, after the program had already qualified by winning the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship under Mikey Varas.
[ MORE: 2024 Paris Olympics soccer schedule & results ]
The aim is for the USMNT’s first-ever medal in men’s soccer, having come closest at Athens 2000, when they finished 4th.
Below you’ll find lineups, video highlights, and live updates from the game at Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France.
In hindsight, the opening goal was a bitter blow for the USMNT, as their heads dropped, all confidence appears to have gone, and the simple effort of marking a corner kick with it.
No longer terrorizing Premier League defenses, Michael Olise is off to Bayern Munich this season, and looking well up for the new European season already.
What a strike by Michael Olise! 💥
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 24, 2024
France double their lead and the home fans are loving it. #ParisOlympics
📺 USA & Peacock pic.twitter.com/QsimLuDvPg
There it is, the opener for France has arrived and Lacazette fires home a beauty from range down low.
Alexandre Lacazette delivers for France!
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 24, 2024
The former Arsenal man puts the hosts up 1-0 against the USA. #ParisOlympics
📺 USA & Peacock pic.twitter.com/T6MC4dJd8Q
With games against New Zealand (Saturday, 12 pm ET) and Guinea (Tuesday, 12 pm ET) still to come in Group A, the Yanks would have a shot at winning the group (pending goal difference) — if they can execute similarly for another 45 minutes and draw the hosts. The difference in quality of depth coming off the bench in the second half will be stark, with France set to shuffle on a number of rising stars already showing out for top clubs in Europe.
The Star-Spangled Banner on the first day of Olympic competition just hits different. 🫡🇺🇸 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/BOyMaZnjmg
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 24, 2024
Just after the half-hour mark, it’s still 0-0 as the USMNT has managed to weather any storms and frustrate the French just a bit. Not much for either side in terms of scoring chances, and that’s just fine with Marko Mitrovic and Co.
France | USA
Possession: 64-36
Shots: 5-2 (1-0 on target)
Passes: 214-109
France
Restes - Lukeba, Sildillia, Bade, Truffert - Kone, Chotard, Millot - Olise, Lacazette, Mateta
USA
Schulte - Harriel, Robinson, Zimmerman, Tolkin - Tessmann, Busio, Mihailovic - Aaronson, Paredes, McGuire