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The USMNT battles Morocco Friday at Parc des Princes in Paris. Kickoff is set for 9 a.m. ET (USA Network / Telemundo / Peacock). Below, we preview FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Morocco vs. USWNT odds, and make our expert Summer Olympic picks and predictions.
The USMNT didn’t have a strong start to Olympic competition, losing 3-0 to France in Marseille July 24. The Americans followed by taking down New Zealand 4-1 Saturday and Guinea 3-0 Tuesday. This will be the first time the USMNT is in the Olympic knockout stage since 2000. MF Djordje Mihailovic, who plays for the Colorado Rapids, is the lone player that scored in both the USMNT’s last 2 matches.
Morocco beat Argentina 2-1 to start its Olympic competition — Argentina also qualified and will play France in the quarterfinals. It then lost to Ukraine 2-1 and finished off its group stage with a 3-0 victory over Iraq. F Soufiane Rahim, who plays for Al Ain, is a player to keep an eye on as he’s scored in each of Morocco’s Olympic Games.
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Morocco vs. USMNT odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at Thursday, 6:58 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Morocco +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | USWNT +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Draw +240
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -113 | U: -121)
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Morocco vs. USMNT picks and predictions
Prediction
USMNT 1, Morocco 1
Moneyline (ML)
TAKE DRAW (+240).
While the tournament, to most viewers, appears as a U23 event, there are 3 exceptions per team, and the USMNT used those to bolster its backline, adding D Walker Zimmerman and D Miles Robinson, both of which will likely start. They will bring veteran experience and communication and will be help a red-hot USMNT. While the USMNT struggled in its only competitive match, Morocco hasn’t competed much better, failing to put away Ukraine.
Despite scoring 6 goals, 2 of those were from the penalty which isn’t likely to be repeated. It lost to Ukraine, throttled Iraq, and despite winning, had 7 fewer shots than Argentina. Morocco is a rightful favorite but isn’t that much better than the USMNT. This should be a competitive and tight match, giving value to the draw.
DRAW (+240) is the way to go.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-121).
The USMNT has gone Over each game, but it has allowed just 1 goal in its last 2 and hasn’t played competent defenses. It was held scoreless in its 1st game against France.
Morocco has a similar story. It has allowed 3 goals while scoring 6, totaling just 3 of those against Ukraine and Argentina and ending with just 3 shots on frame against the latter.
The nature of the knockout stage typically suggests fewer goals. In the 6 games between the quarterfinals and semifinals of the 2020 Summer Olympics, 4 of those games went Under a 2.5 total. With the USMNT beefing up its defense with experience, expect fewer goals.
TAKE UNDER 2.5 (-121).
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More USA TODAY Summer Olympics coverage:
News | Medal count | Meet Team USA
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