The United States U-23s are through to the Olympic quarterfinals for the first time since the year 2000 thanks to a 3-0 victory over Guinea to finish as Group A runners-up. A goal from Djordje Mihailovic and a Kevin Paredes brace were more than enough for the United States to get the job done, finishing behind France, who went 3-0-0. Even without Gianluca Busio, who missed the match with a hamstring injury, Marko Mitrovic's side created plenty of chances while also staying locked in on the defensive end to get the much-needed result. They'll now be set for a matchup with Morocco on Friday morning at 9 a.m. ET.
With seven goals scored and only one conceded in their last two matches, an opening-day loss to France is firmly in the rear-view mirror. Mihailovic and Paredes have both scored two goals while assisting another. Griffin Yow and Paxten Aaronson have also been stellar in attack but the defense has been able to keep out most things that come their way as well to complete this turnaround.
Patrick Schulte, for example, is a player who embodies the United States' improvement. Against France, he could've done better on a few of the goals conceded but closing out the cleansheet against Guinea, the Columbus Crew man was there to stop a chance from point-blank range, ensuring that the United States blanked the opposition. Those are stops that while they don't mean much to the final standings, they do matter for confidence ahead of facing Morocco, a team with plenty of quality going forward.
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That match is one where things start to get real in a win-or-go-home scenario. For a team that has never earned a medal, in Olympic play, they're now one step closer, but PSG star Achraf Hakimi and a strong Morocco side stand in their path.
France: 3-0-0, 9 pts. +7 GD
United States: 2-0-1, 6 pts. +3 GD
New Zealand: 1-0-2, 3 pts. -5 GD
Guinea: 0-0-3, 0 pts. -5 GD
United States 3, Guinea 0 (FT)
New Zealand 0, France 3 (FT)
Getting their first win over an African nation in Olympic history, the United States will now be in the knockouts of the Olympics after defeating Guinea 3-0. Kevin Paredes paced the team with a brace while Djordje Mihailovic knocked home a free kick to ensure that this was taken care of. Witha 2-0 lead at the half, the U-23s got off to a fast start and both the US men and women are now in the final eight of the Olympics.
It was a great save to preserve the clean sheet as the match ticks to a close. Following his poor showing against France, the Columbus Crew man has been locked in.
The United States will want to avoid what happened against New Zealand where they conceded a goal late but it's hard to focus when the knockouts are so close.
Kevin Paredes has been replaced by Caleb Wiley which will also keep him from getting a yellow and missing the match against Morocco on Friday.
It's another for Kevin Paredes as he gets his second gal of the match. At this point, will he have enough dances left for how involved he has been? An excellent pass from Jack McGlynn set him up for the finish.
Duncan McGuire enters the match. Griffin Yow also exits for Taylor Booth as Mitrovic is already looking forward to the knockout stages.
Atencio gets into an advanced position and tries to pick out Aaronson in the middle. McGlynn's corner kick found his Philadelphia Union teammate Nathan Harriel to lead ot yet another corner kick. The right back has been involved in every set play.
Maxi Dietz and Djordje Mihailovic exit for Jack McGlynn and Joshua Atencio. Atencio was an injury replacement for Gianluca Busio.
After a strong fist half, the United States has a chance to finish the job.
Goals from Mihailovic and Paredes pace the United States for a berth to the knockouts as things stand. If this hold, they'll face Morocco on Friday morning but there's still 45 minutes to go in order to finish the job.
With an injury and two goals, it checks out where the stoppage time is coming from in this one. The United States will want to keep things right where they are before the half.
It feels like only a matter of time until he finds the back fo the net as well but Guinea has no answers for the United States attack so far.
Paredes will take his own chance this time and scores to put the United States ahead by two goals only 30 minutes into the match.
A Paredes chance from the wing got to Yow on the opposite side forcing yet another Guinea save. Pressure after pressure after pressure to start this off.
Cisse will exit in defense after Naby Keita already had to be replaced before the match after picking up a knock.
Talk about starting fast as five of those have found the target. The United States are making sure to keep advancement in their own hands here.
What a take as he slots home the free kick after Yow draws the chance. As things stand, the United States is through to the knockout stages.
Paredes slipped on his chance but still gets in a good enough shot to force another United States corner. They're very direct and it is pushing the pace of the match early.
Guinea were almost punished for a giveaway but made the quick save on Yow's shot on frame as the United States drew a corner kick. It wasn't very well taken but get enough chances and it will end well.
Morocco has won their group and will finish the second placed finisher in Group A while Argentina will face the winner of Group A.
The United States will get the job done qualifying for the knockout stages with a comprehensive victory. Pick: United States 3, Guinea 1
All the experienced players are in the XI
Starters: Sylla, Keita, Soumah, Cisse, Diallo, Diawara, Toure, Balde, Moriba, Bah, Keita
France: 2-0-0, 6 pts. +4 GD
United States: 1-0-1, 3 pts. 0 GD
New Zealand: 1-0-1, 3 pts. -2 GD
Guinea: 0-0-2, 0 pts. -2 GD
United States vs. Guinea, 1 p.m. on USA
New Zealand vs. France, 1 p.m. on Universo
Playing as a striker is about more than just scoring goals, but being able to score is also pretty important too. While Duncan McGuire put in a solid shift defensively against New Zealand, he still wasn't able to find the back of the net as it felt like the attack was operating around him instead of with him. When he left the match for Griffin Yow, Paxten Aaronson slid into the middle and immediately scored via a Yow assist. His immediate impact is something that can't be taken for granted as Mitrovic is setting up his lineup for the match.
With no Busio, Maximilian Dietz will step into the XI but Marko Mitrovic has also changed things atop the attack as well.
Starters: Patrick Schulte, Nathan Harriel, Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson, John Tolkin, Maximilian Dietz, Tanner Tessmann, Djordje Mihailovic, Paxten Aaronson, Griffin Yow, Kevin Paredes
