Tag: USMNT U-23

USA vs. Morocco: How to watch Olympics, TV channel, live stream

The U.S. will aim for a place in the medal round with a win over the Atlas Lions

For the first time in 24 years, the United States men have reached the knockout stage in men’s soccer.

Marko Mitrović’s under-23 side advanced from Group A with an emphatic 3-0 win over Guinea on Tuesday, clinching a quarterfinal date with Morocco in Paris on Saturday.

The U.S. started the competition with a 3-0 defeat to France before rebounding with a 4-1 win over New Zealand.

Now the team is in the last eight for the first time since the 2000 Sydney Games, when the U.S. went all the way to the semifinal, losing to Spain before also falling against Chile in the bronze-medal match.

The U.S. has never won a medal in men’s soccer in the modern Olympics.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Olympic soccer on Peacock” link=”https://imp.i305175.net/Y9vDoJ”]

Morocco advanced as the winner of Group B. Following a wild opening-game win over Argentina, the Atlas Lions lost to Ukraine before rebounding to defeat Iraq.

This is just the second time Morocco has advanced past the Olympics group stage in men’s soccer, as it advanced in 1972 but failed to win a medal.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

USA vs. Morocco (Olympic men’s soccer quarterfinal)

  • When: Friday, August 2
  • Where: Parc des Princes (Paris, France)
  • Time: 9 a.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: USA Network, Telemundo, Peacock (WATCH NOW)

[lawrence-related id=77666,79047,78873]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Pro Soccer Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

How can the USMNT advance at the 2024 Olympics?

The USA is one step away from its first Olympic knockout appearance since 2000

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.

  1. Goal difference in all group matches
  2. Goals scored in all group matches
  3. Points obtained in matches between teams tied on points
  4. Goal difference in matches between teams tied on points
  5. Goals scored in matches between teams tied on points
  6. Best team disciplinary conduct score (yellow cards and red cards received)
  7. 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)

[lawrence-related id=78873,77666,78865]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Pro Soccer Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

USMNT hit with Busio injury blow in Olympic match vs. New Zealand

The midfielder is key for the USA’s hopes at the Olympics

The U.S. men’s under-23 national team may have to do without Gianluca Busio for the rest of the Olympics.

That outcome seems like a distinct possibility after Busio limped off in the first half of the USA’s match against New Zealand on Saturday.

The midfielder was chasing a long ball down the right sideline when he pulled up with a non-contact injury. Busio was treated on the field and had to be replaced by Jack McGlynn in the 37th minute.

It wasn’t initially clear what the injury was, but typically muscle injuries knock players out for a minimum of 1-2 weeks.

If Busio is out, it would be a major blow for the USA, as the 22-year-old forms a vital part of the team’s central midfielder alongside his club teammate with Venezia, Tanner Tessmann.

Busio’s injury came just seven minutes after he’d scored to put the USA up 3-0 over New Zealand.

The midfielder scored off his own rebound after earlier goals from Djordje Mihailovic and Walker Zimmerman.

The U.S. went on to win the match 4-1 after Paxten Aaronson added a goal in the second half, with Jesse Randall netting a late consolation for New Zealand.

After the match, Busio told reporters that he believed the injury wasn’t “too serious.”

“It’s all right. We’ll see. It’s just the same one I’ve been dealing with for a while. But I don’t think it’s anything too serious,” he said in quotes published by the Washington Post.

After losing to France in its Olympics opener, the U.S. entered Saturday’s game desperately needing to win to keep its hopes at advancement alive.

The U.S. will finish out group play on Tuesday against Guinea. Should they reach the the knockout stage, a quarterfinal would take place on Friday.

[lawrence-related id=78650,77666,77531]

New Zealand vs. USMNT: How to watch Olympics, TV channel, live stream

It’s now or never for the U.S. men at the Olympics.

It’s now or never for the U.S. men at the Olympics.

Marko Mitrović’s under-23 side opened the Olympics with a 3-0 loss against host nation France, making Saturday’s game with New Zealand absolutely vital.

Defeat would eliminate the U.S., while a draw would leave it needing a win and help on the final day of group play.

Though the U.S. ended up falling to a heavy defeat against France, Mitrović’s side will take encouragement from a strong performance against one of the pre-tournament favorites.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Olympic soccer on Peacock” link=”https://imp.i305175.net/Y9vDoJ”]

New Zealand kicked off the competition with a 2-1 win over Guinea, putting the Kiwis in good shape early in group play.

The top two teams in Group A will advance to the quarterfinal, where teams will be just one win away from playing for a medal.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

New Zealand vs. USA (Olympic men’s soccer)

  • When: Saturday, July 27
  • Where: Stade Vélodrome (Marseille, France)
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: USA Network, Telemundo, Peacock (WATCH NOW)

[lawrence-related id=78650,77531,78527]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Pro Soccer Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

France vs. USA: How to watch Olympics men’s soccer, TV channel, live stream

The U.S. will kick off the competition with a tough match against the host nation

The United States will make its return to men’s Olympic soccer in the most difficult way imaginable.

Marko Mitrović’s under-23 side will face host nation France in its Group A opener, with a huge crowd expected at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille.

Led by Thierry Henry, France boasts one of the most talented squads in the tournament and will be among the favorites for gold. Among France’s stars are Bayern Munich attacker Michael Olise, Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki and Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Olympic soccer on Peacock” link=”https://imp.i305175.net/Y9vDoJ”]

For the U.S. men, who are playing their first Olympics match since 2008, any result against France will be a major boost. Mitrović will count on the Venezia midfield pair of Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann, with Orlando City striker Duncan McGuire expected to carry the load as the lone No. 9.

Following this match, the U.S. will also face New Zealand and Guinea to close out group play. The top two teams in Group A will advance to the quarterfinal, where teams will be just one win away from playing for a medal.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

France vs. USA (Olympic men’s soccer)

  • When: Wednesday, July 24
  • Where: Stade Vélodrome (Marseille, France)
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: USA Network, Telemundo, Peacock (WATCH NOW)

[lawrence-related id=77666,77841,77531]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Pro Soccer Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

USWNT coach Hayes confirms rule change regarding Olympic alternates

Alternates will now travel to France knowing they have a better chance of seeing the field

U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes has confirmed a late rule change that could give Olympic alternates a greater chance of playing at the upcoming tournament in France.

The rule change, which was announced by France women’s coach Hervé Renard earlier on Monday, will see roster alternates able to swap in and out of a team one game at a time.

At a press conference on Monday, Hayes detailed how the change will work.

“First of all, I view the fact that there’s 22 players going to the Olympics and that we are to prepare every player to be able to perform if required,” the coach said.

“The reality with alternates is that if there is a temporary injury to a player on the roster within the 18, as long as we give six hours notice, we’re able to make a temporary change and we can then change that for a following game.”

“So from my perspective nothing changes, maybe gives us a little bit more flexibility. But there’s 22 players.”

Men’s and women’s Olympic soccer teams are only allowed to have 18 players on an active roster, with every team given the ability to bring four alternates.

Previously, an alternate could only be added to the roster in exchange for an injured player, with that injured player then forced out for the remainder of the Olympics.

This will be the second straight Olympics that features a rules adjustment for alternates. Three years ago in Japan amid the coronavirus pandemic, FIFA allowed all 22 players to be available for selection — though only 18 were still permitted on a gameday roster.

With greater flexibility, alternates for the USMNT and USWNT will travel to France this year knowing they have a slightly better chance of seeing the field.

For the USMNT, whose roster was confirmed on Monday, the alternates are Josh Atencio, Jacob Davis, Johan Gomez and John Pulskamp.

The USWNT’s alternates are Jane Campbell, Hal Hershfelt, Croix Bethune and Lynn Williams.

[lawrence-related id=77531,76625,76620]

USMNT won’t face Mbappe at Olympics — but France is stacked anyway

The U.S. probably won’t be breathing a huge sign of relief after seeing this squad

The United States won’t be facing Kylian Mbappé at the Olympics, but that doesn’t mean it should be breathing a huge sigh of relief.

France released its preliminary 25-man roster for the Olympics on Monday, and the host country did not include the Real Madrid star on the list.

Even France President Emmanuel Macron had lobbied for Mbappé to be at the Paris Games, saying last month that he was “counting upon Real Madrid to free up Kylian for the Olympic Games.”

Macron’s wish was not granted, however, in a move that wasn’t a huge surprise, given Mbappé’s commitments with France at Euro 2024 and the fact Real Madrid wasn’t obligated to release the superstar for the Olympics.

“Real Madrid were really straightforward about the Olympics,” coach Thierry Henry said at a news conference Monday.

“The last time I received so many rejections was at the university. There have not even been negotiations. You go, you ask, they say no and you leave.”

The side that Henry did call, however, was still formidable.

Among the names are PSG duo Warren Zaïre-Emery and Bradley Barcola, Nice star Khéphren Thuram, Crystal Palace pair Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise, Bayern Munich winger Mathys Tel, Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu and several other highly rated talents.

Veteran forward Alexandre Lacazette, still a formidable presence for Lyon, is on the squad as an overage player, with each men’s team at the Olympics allowed three players born before the cutoff of January 1, 2001.

Henry will have to eventually cut his side down to 18 before France begins the Olympics against the U.S. on July 24 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. 

Guinea and New Zealand were also drawn into Group A.

France preliminary Olympic squad

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Obed Nkambadio (Paris FC), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Robin Risser (Dijon)

Defenders: Bafodé Diakité (Lille), Maxime Estève (Burnley), Bradley Locko (Brest), Castello Lukeba (Leipzig), Kiliann Sildillia (Freiburg), Adrien Truffert (Rennes), Leny Yoro (Lille)

Midfielders: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Joris Chotard (Montpellier), Désiré Doué (Rennes), Manu Koné (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Enzo Millot (Stuttgart), Khéphren Thuram (Nice), Lesley Ugochukwu (Chelsea), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes), Alexandra Lacazette (Lyon), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Michael Olise (Crystal Palace), Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich)

[lawrence-related id=74218,72609,55300]

Zimmerman joins final pre-Olympics USMNT camp as overage player

The veteran defender appears likely to be heading to the Olympics as an overage player

U.S. men’s Olympic head coach Marko Mitrović has called in a 25-player roster for the team’s upcoming training camp and friendly against Japan.

For the first time this cycle, the roster includes one overage player: Nashville SC defender Walker Zimmerman, who now looks like a safe bet to head to the Olympics as one of the team’s overage options.

Zimmerman has earned 42 caps with the senior USMNT, starting three of four games at the 2022 World Cup. He is one of 19 players on this roster with at least one senior cap.

This camp represents the last chance Mitrović will have to evaluate players ahead of naming his 18-player roster in July for the Olympics. The men’s tournament is restricted to under-23 players, with the exception of three spots for overage players.

The U.S. will hold a training camp in Kansas before a match against Japan on June 11 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

For the first time since 2008, the U.S. men qualified for the Olympics this summer. Mitrović’s team will open the tournament against host France on July 24, and will then face New Zealand and Guinea in the group stage.

USMNT U-23 June roster

Goalkeepers (2): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea)

Defenders (7): Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy), Bryan Reynolds (KVC Westerlo), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Tomkinson (Norwich City), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United FC), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

Midfielders (7): Cole Bassett (Colorado Rapids), Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew), Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Split), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia)

Forwards (9): Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt), Esmir Bajraktarevic (New England Revolution), Taylor Booth (Utrecht), Cade Cowell (Chivas), Damion Downs (Köln), Johan Gomez (Eintracht Braunschweig), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg), Griffin Yow (Westerlo)

[lawrence-related id=72609,65815,55300]

Cremaschi leaning toward USMNT after exclusion from Argentina Olympic plans

The USMNT is getting close to locking down a highly regarded dual national

More and more, Benjamin Cremaschi sees his international future with the United States.

Born and raised in Florida to Argentine parents, the Inter Miami midfielder has been involved with both Argentina and the U.S. at the youth level.

Last fall, the 19-year-old was called into the U.S. senior national team for the first time, earning his first cap in a friendly against Ghana.

Cremaschi hasn’t been involved with Argentina since a call-up to a U-20 camp in December 2022, and a recent conversation with Argentina U-23 coach Javier Mascherano appears to have pushed the midfielder even closer to U.S. Soccer.

Cremaschi was interviewed on Argentine radio station Urbana Play 104.3 FM, and was asked if he’d had any conversations with Argentina senior national team head coach Lionel Scaloni.

“I haven’t spoken to Scaloni, I spoke with [Mascherano],” Cremaschi said. “The truth is he was very honest with me. He said he wants the best for me. It wasn’t an egotistical conversation and I’m very thankful for it.”

Asked if he would consider a call-up to Argentina if it ever came, Cremaschi replied: “Yes, but [Mascherano] had things clear. He told it to me in the best way and I understood him perfectly, so I’m leaning toward the United States.”

With Mascherano apparently not considering Cremaschi for a spot on his 18-player roster for the Olympics this summer, the Inter Miami midfielder said he was hoping that he would be selected for the United States roster.

“I hope it’s my turn to go,” he said of an Olympic place.

Cremaschi missed the first two months of the 2024 season after undergoing surgery on a hernia, but has recently returned for Inter Miami. He scored his first goal of the season on Saturday as the Herons beat the New England Revolution 4-1.

[lawrence-related id=57599,40590,27606]

2024 Olympics draw: USMNT to face France, New Zealand, playoff winner

The USMNT will face the tournament host to kick off the Olympics on July 24

The U.S. men’s under-23 national team has been matched up with host country France, New Zealand and the winner of an Asian-African playoff following Wednesday’s 2024 Olympic draw.

The USMNT was drawn into Group A, and will face France in the tournament opener on July 24 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. 

The U.S. will then face New Zealand at the same venue on July 27, before closing out group play on July 30 at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Étienne.

The U.S. men will participate in the Olympics for the first time since the 2008 competition in Beijing. Before qualifying through the 2022 Concacaf U-20 Championship, the U.S. had fallen short three Olympics in a row.

The men’s tournament will see 16 teams separated into four groups of four, with the top two finishers in each group advancing to the quarterfinal stage.

So far, 12 teams have qualified. Three Asian teams will qualify through the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, which takes place from April 15 to May 3. The final spot will come from an intercontinental playoff between an Asian team and Guinea, the fourth place team from the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

Men’s soccer at the Olympics is an under-23 event (players born on or after January 1, 2000), with every team eligible to select three overage players.

2024 Olympics men’s soccer draw

Group A

  • France
  • USA
  • AFC-CAF playoff winner
  • New Zealand

Group B

  • Argentina
  • Morocco
  • AFC 3
  • Ukraine

Group C

  • AFC 2
  • Spain
  • Egypt
  • Dominican Republic

Group D

  • AFC 1
  • Paraguay
  • Mali
  • Israel

[lawrence-related id=45020,27527,30985]