Having returned to the Olympics for the first time in 16 years, the U.S. under-23 men’s national team can now accomplish something it hasn’t for 24 years.
A 4-1 win over New Zealand on Saturday has put the U.S. in great position to advance to its first Olympics knockout stage since 2000, and do so for just the second time since the current group stage format was introduced at the 1960 Olympics.
The U.S. started the tournament with a 3-0 defeat to France, but rebounded with an emphatic victory over the Kiwis to put its destiny into its own hands heading into Tuesday’s group-stage finale against Guinea.
The match in Saint-Étienne seems on paper to be the easiest of the three group-stage games, with Guinea having lost to both New Zealand and France, and entering this match with only the faintest hope of progression to the quarterfinal.
How can the USMNT advance?
The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals after round-robin play, with the USA entering the final round of group matches in second place.
A win over Guinea would guarantee the U.S. passage to the quarterfinals, while a draw combined with either a New Zealand draw or loss to France would also see the USA advance.
Marko Mitrović’s side could also advance with a loss if France defeats New Zealand. In that scenario, the USA, New Zealand and Guinea would all be on three points and tiebreakers would come into play.
Olympic soccer tiebreakers
The following, in order, are how ties on points between teams in Olympic soccer will be resolved.
- Goal difference in all group matches
- Goals scored in all group matches
- Points obtained in matches between teams tied on points
- Goal difference in matches between teams tied on points
- Goals scored in matches between teams tied on points
- Best team disciplinary conduct score (yellow cards and red cards received)
- Random draw
Group A standings
| Team | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| France | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| USA | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -3 | 3 |
| Guinea | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
USMNT vs. Guinea
- When: Tuesday, July 30
- Where: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard (Saint-Étienne, France)
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Channel/streaming: USA Network, Telemundo, Peacock (WATCH NOW)
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