The U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer Team fell behind after just two minutes of their opening match in the return to the Olympics before a late equalizer moved them level with FIFA No. They were run off the field at times by a much fancied French team in their Group A opener last Wednesday here in Marseille, but held them on even footing for an hour.
But despite their best efforts they eventually went down 3-0 as France, led by veteran captain Alexandre Lacazette eased to a victory in front of 67,000 who packed the Stade Velodrome.
The USMNT made its first appearance in the 2024 Olympic Men’s Soccer Tournament, which started two days ago ahead of Paris Opening Ceremonies and targets entries for sports and their matches that are not scheduled for broadcast on NBC. Even with the challenging venue and opponent, the Americans didn’t have a reason to be intimidated.
The U.S. was good defensively and could have scored twice more with better finishing. Lacazette, though 33 and the oldest player on the pitch, broke that stalemate just after an hour was played before providing a crucial assist for Michael Olise’s France to score their second in under ten minutes.
The game went to the break scoreless thanks in part to U.S. cagey defending even though France saw most of the ball during that time, they didnt have many clear chances on goal when really tested by American defenders.
Center backs Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman looked steady, while midfielders Tanner Tessman and Gianluca Busio did a good job of keeping Olise in check during stretches.
The best chance of the first half fell to Paxten Aaronson, but his shot was saved by French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes. The U.S. came close in the 59th minute when Djordje Mihailovic unleashed a long-range effort that hit off the crossbar.
Lacazette made it the game 4-2 in the 61st minute with a sizzling shot from 25 yards. The Americans Next Launched Their Fiercest Offense In The Last Part Of The Game But Could Not Level. It started with a saved header from Aaronson, and then John Tolkin rattled the frame.
France doubled their lead in the 69th minute when Olise let fly with a curling shot from outside of the box before Loïc Badé set up for France’s third goal five minutes-before-end mark by thumping his header home off another corner kick. Their U.S. replacement Griffin Yow also had a stoppage-time goal for offside ruled out.
Sixteen teams have been divided into four groups leading to last-eight in the tournament. The other Group A game saw New Zealand get the better of Guinea 2-1.
The U.S. plays New Zealand in a pivotal clash on Saturday, July 27 at the Orange Velodrome in Marseille (kickoff: 1 p.m. ET, USA Network/Telemundo and streamed live via Peacock).
Lineups:
USA:
1-Patrick Schulte;
2-Nathan Harriel, 3-Walker Zimmerman, 12-Miles Robinson; 5-John Tolkin
6-Gianluca Busio (4-Maximilian Dietz, 71′)6-Tanner Tessmann (Capt.)14-Djordje Mihailovic (16-Jack McGlynn, 76’C)
11-Paxten Aaronson (9-Griffin Yow, 76′), Duncan McGuire (17-Caleb Wiley, 86′), Kevin Paredes(7-Kevin Paredes, Taylor Booth)
Substitutes:
18-Gaga Slonina; 15-Benjamin Cremaschi
Head Coach: Marko Mitrović
France:
16-Guillaume Restes;
5-Kiliann Sildillia, 4-Loïc Badé, 2-Castello Lukeba (cap), 3-Adrien Truffert;
Substitutes used: Enzo Millot (off 71), Soungoutou Magassa (on 87)Maghnes Akliouche, Manu KonéJamal Braimah; Claudio GomesHead coach: Jean-Luc Vannuchi.
14-Jean-Philippe Mateta (9-Arnaud Kalimuendo, 71′),10-Alexandre Lacazette
Substitutes:
1-Obed Nkambadio, 15-Bradley Locko,18-Rayan Cherki
Head Coach: Thierry Henry
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