The U.S. men’s soccer team made their return to the Olympics after 16 years, facing France in their opening match at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille. Unfortunately, the USMNT suffered a 3-0 defeat to the host nation, with France’s Alexandre Lacazette, Michael Olise, and Loic Bade finding the net for the hosts. Despite putting up a fight and creating several goal-scoring opportunities, the Americans were unable to convert their chances, ultimately falling short against a clinical French side.
While France emerged victorious, the U.S. team showed glimpses of promise throughout the match. Winger Paxten Aaronson and midfielder Djordje Mihailovic tested the France goalkeeper with their efforts, but luck was not on the Americans’ side as they were unable to find the back of the net. The U.S. came close to scoring on multiple occasions, with Aaronson and John Tolkin both seeing their headers saved by the French defense, and a late goal by Griffin Yow being ruled out for offside.
Despite the disappointing result, U.S. coach Marko Mitrovic praised his players for their performance and highlighted the positives from the match. Mitrovic commended his team for their effort, positioning, and passing throughout the game, suggesting that they did not deserve to lose in such a manner. Defender Walker Zimmerman echoed his coach’s sentiments, pointing out the missed opportunities but also acknowledging the team’s ability to compete with the best. Mitrovic emphasized the importance of learning from their mistakes and focusing on the positives to improve in their upcoming matches.
Looking ahead, the U.S. team is gearing up to face New Zealand and Guinea in their remaining Group A fixtures. With the aim of advancing to the knockout phase, the Americans understand the significance of securing results in both games. Mitrovic and his players are focused on putting the defeat behind them, learning from their errors, and building on the positives from their performance against France. As they continue their Olympic campaign, the U.S. team remains determined to bounce back and showcase their potential on the international stage.
