90min

USYNT advances to Olympics knockouts for first time in 24 years

  • USA advanced from Group A in the men's soccer competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics
  • USA defeated both New Zealand and Guinea to move on
  • The team's sole loss came against Thierry Henry's France side

By Max Mallow

USA is heading to the knockout round for the first time since 2000
USA is heading to the knockout round for the first time since 2000 / John Todd/ISI/GettyImages
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The U.S. men's youth national soccer team advanced to the Paris 2024 Olympics knockout stage after defeating Guinea 3-0 in the group stage.

USYNT bounced back from a disappointing loss to France in the Group A opener with wins against New Zealand and Guinea to advance. This is the first time USA has advanced to the knockout stage of a men's competition since Sydney 2000.

The result is not only a major accomplishment for Marko Mitrovic's side, but it eases the pain fans felt with the senior team going out early in Copa America earlier this month. This is the first Olympics appearance for the USYNT since Beijing 2008.

Djordje Mihailovic
USA defeated Guinea in its final Group A match at the Paris 2024 Olympics / Andrea Vilchez/ISI/GettyImages

Djordje Mihailovic got the scoring started with a resounding free kick in the 14th minute. Kevin Paredes found the net twice later on to seal advancement.

While Mihailovic, Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson are the senior members of the team, fans of USA soccer have their eyes on the Under-23 players that could break into the senior team come the World Cup in 2026. USMNT is still in need of a head coach, but there's plenty of talent coming through the ranks that could fight for a roster spot in less than two years.

Tanner Tessmann, who has captained the USA at the Olympics, was recently linked with a move to Serie A champions Inter Milan from Venezia. The move ended up breaking down despite a deal being reached between the two Italian clubs.

USA now faces Morocco in the quarter-finals on Aug. 2. A knockout stage win would be another achievement for this side and the team could then start dreaming about medaling this summer.

The U.S. Women's national team closes out its group stage tomorrow against Australia.

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