The U.S. displayed a winning mentality early and often, scoring four to get Olympic Games back on track
The USA waited 5,827 days between their last Olympic goal in 2008 and their first in 2024. An effort 16-years in the making, the weight on this team's shoulders was lifted just seven minutes into their 4-1 thumping of New Zealand Saturday in the group stage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The four goals is the most the US men have ever scored in an Olympic match, and the 3-goal margin of victory tied the highest in team history at the Games. And it all began quickly.
After Nathaniel Harriel was taken down in the box, the U.S. U23 squad earned a penalty kick and Djordje Mihailovic confidently stepped up and slotted home. Not five minutes later, the lead was doubled through defender Walker Zimmerman.
The squad's veteran, Zimmerman forced the ball into the back of the net after some pinball in the box. At 31 years, 70 days, Zimmerman is the oldest U.S. Olympic men’s soccer player to score at the Games since the team’s first participation in 1924.
And then, 30 minutes into the match, the U.S. added a third through midfielder Gianluca Busio. The Venezia star, though, was removed from the match five minutes later after suffering a non-contact injury.
After a double-change early in the second half, the U.S. added a fourth through Paxten Aaronson, who was fed by a recently-introduced Griffin Yow in the 58th minute.
New Zealand did earn a late consolation effort, finding the back of the net in the 77th minute through Jesse Randall, but it was too little, too late.
In Marseille, U.S. coach Marko Mitrovic fielded the same starting XI as in the terrible performance on matchday one, a 3-0 loss to France. The U.S. rebounded brilliantly, making up their negative goal-differential and staking the pole position to advance with a result against Guinea on matchday three on Tuesday.
GOAL rates the U23 USMNT players from Marseille.
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defense
Patrick Schulte (7/10):
Made an incredible save in the first half, and was otherwise sound when called upon.
John Tolkin (7/10):
A much more composed performance than against France. Was lively on both ends of the pitch.
Walker Zimmerman (9/10):
Incredible going forward, was vocal on the pitch, hammered home his effort and looked like the leader the USMNT needed in a must-win match.
Miles Robinson (6/10):
Didn't stand out, but played his role well on the back line.
Nathaniel Harriel (8/10):
Incredible going forward. Played a role in two goals in the final-third, and locked down his flank defensively.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Tanner Tessman (7/10):
Really solid performance, but picked up a silly yellow before the halftime whistle. Ran the midfield show.
Gianluca Busio (8/10):
Took his goal well when the opportunity arrived, but was removed 36 minutes into the match after a non-contact injury.
Djordje Mihailovic (7/10):
Was composed in the final-third on and off the ball. Took his penalty brilliantly, too.
Getty ImagesAttack
Paxten Aaronson (8/10):
Once again the most lively of the front-three for the USMNT, scoring a brilliant solo effort in the second half.
Duncan McGuire (5/10):
Still has yet to find his role in this team, as the sole striker on the roster. Little service from the flanks, but he's not found a way to make himself known in the attack yet. Removed after 54 minutes.
Kevin Paredes (7/10):
Wasn't the most useful of the attackers, but played his role well, earning an assist in the first half.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Benja Cremaschi (6/10):
Subbed on late, and was lively, but did not stand out. He is the roster’s youngest player at 19 years, 148 days.
Taylor Booth (6/10):
Second-half sub, was electric on the wing, but nothing came of it.
Maxi Dietz (5/10):
Brought on for McGuire, the defender made an error on the lone New Zealand goal.
Griffin Yow (8/10):
Subbed on to the pitch and made an impact with an assist for Aaronson. You cannot ask for a better cameo.
Jack McGlynn (7/10):
Replaced Busio early in the first half and executed his role brillianty. It was a like-for-like switch.
Marko Mitrovic (7/10):
Mitrovic got nearly everything right. Losing Busio could be a blow, and not getting McGuire into the match may hurt this team in the long run, but nearly everything was perfect. A brilliant result when one was absolutely needed.