The United States Men’s National Team played their second stage game of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday afternoon against New Zealand. It was a game that the United States had to come away with if they wanted to keep their dreams alive of winning a medal at this year’s Summer Olympics. Following a disappointing performance against France in their opening game, this was the perfect opportunity for the United States to bounce back and get the ship going in the right direction heading into the final group stage game next week.
Head Coach Marko Mitrovic didn’t make any changes to the starting lineup from the previous game, opting to keep Patrick Schulte in net and presumably saving Taylor Booth as a super sub for crucial late-game moments. The United States should be expected to beat a team like New Zealand, but as we saw with the Copa America exit and the loss to Panama, sometimes expectations aren’t reality. However, his lack of changes proved to work as the United States rolled to a solid victory over New Zealand in the second group stage game.
First Half
However, this time around, it was a different song and dance for the United States, as they drew a penalty early on in the game, and Djordje Mihailovic put it in the back of the net to put the United States up 1-0 over New Zealand. It was the first men’s Olympic goal for the United States in 16 years, with the last one coming during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Only a few moments later, in the 12th minute, Djordje Mihailovic sent a free kick into the box that was bouncing around, and Walker Zimmerman eventually put it in the back of the net. With the Zimmerman goal, the United States quickly jumped out to a solid lead over New Zealand, courtesy of two players who did not have great performances in the opening game against France.
Both of them provided great bounceback performances when needed, and they will look to carry that momentum into the third and final group stage game. The United States continued to keep the pressure on throughout the early stages and ask questions of the New Zealand backline.
New Zealand provided a moment of brilliance of their own in the 21st minute when they sent a rocket towards Patrick Schulte that he had to leave his feet to save. The ball did not leave play, however, and the follow-up header sailed over the crossbar, despite the incredible claim that it was a missed opportunity for New Zealand. However, it was the first sign of life from the Kiwis in this game, and that is something they looked to build off of throughout the remainder of the first half.
Following a New Zealand corner that went safely into the hands of goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, the United States would quickly sprint up the left side of the field. John Tolkin navigated his way through the defense and found Kevin Paredes. Eventually Paredes would find Busio, and Busio had his first attempt blocked, but on the rebound, Gianluca Busio put the US ahead 3-0 with another goal.
Almost immediately, the United States kept the foot on the gas, but Tanner Tessmann’s shot from outside the box went wide of goal. However, concern came 34 minutes into the first half when Busio pulled up after a run, holding his hamstring. Jack McGlynn would eventually enter for Busio, forcing an early change due to injury.
Key Moments First Half
- Mihailovic Goal (Pen) 8’
- Zimmerman Goal 12’
- Busio Goal 30’
- McGlynn in for Busio 36’
- Tessmann Yellow Card 45’ + 2’
Second Half
With a 3-0 lead coming into the second half, the United States continued to settle in and take opportunities when they came. About nine minutes into the second half, Jack McGlynn tried to make it 4-0 with a powerful shot from outside of the box, but it was saved by the New Zealand keeper. In the 55th minute, Duncan McGuire and Djordje Mihailovic came off for Max Deitz and Griffin Yow.
Quickly after the substitution, Paxten Aaronson would make it 4-0 United States with a beautiful goal off of a cut-back pass from newly featured Yow. With the fourth goal, it was the first time the United States men had ever scored four in an Olympic contest. Minutes later, Jack McGlynn nearly scored number five for the United States, but the goal was rolled back for offside.
Marko Mitrovic would make two more subs in the 69th minute, bringing on Inter Miami’s Cremaschi and Taylor Booth to replace one of two players (Paredes) on yellows from the previous game. However, Tanner Tessmann was left on the field, which created a bit of anxiety because another yellow would see him miss the final group game.
Eventually, New Zealand would finally break through in the final 10 minutes, securing a much-needed goal when it comes to goal differential and putting themselves on the board when Jesse Randall put a ball in the back of the net for the Kiwis in the 78th minute. Following the New Zealand goal, they would have plenty of energy as they searched for a second, although it would not come as the United States was able to shut it down and ride out the victory.
Key Moments Second Half
- Dietz in for Mihailovic 55’
- Yow in for McGuire 55’
- Paxten Aaronson Goal 58’
- McGlynn Goal (Ruled Offsides) 63’
- Cremaschi in for Harriel 69’
- Booth in for Paredes 69’
- Jesse Randall Goal 78’
Conclusion
Overall, it was an incredible performance from the United States and their second game of the group stage, and it was exactly what they needed. Now heading into their third and final group stage game next Tuesday against Guinea, it is likely that they will only need a single point to advance to the knockout stages. It was a fantastic bounceback performance for Zimmerman and Mihailovic, and Griffin Yow provided a fantastic performance as a late-game sub.
There were plenty of positives and not many negatives to take into the third and final group stage game, and the US will have all the momentum heading into Tuesday’s contest. With this result and the gold differential now settled, it puts the US one step closer to achieving the goal of winning a medal in Paris this summer. It is worth noting that Griffin Yow’s appearance is more than deserving of starting the final group stage match. He immediately made a difference in the game, despite the game being well in hand, and he provided plenty of dangerous opportunities throughout his cameo.
The United States did a good job forcing corners and winning the battle (7 to 3) over New Zealand. Once again, the USA had plenty of shot opportunities (17), with seven of them ending up as shots on goal. They did an even better job at the other end, holding New Zealand to only four shots on goal and nine attempts throughout the game, despite losing the possession battle.
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