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For the first time since 2008, the American men will participate in the soccer tournament at the Olympic Games, after qualifying through the Concacaf U-20 Championship in 2022. The United States won that tournament and two players from that roster will also represent the team. United States inside Paris — Paxten Aaronson and Jack McGlynn. Included in a difficult group together with tournament hosts FranceAmerica’s youth will have the opportunity to prove themselves against the best in the world.
With such a small squad of eighteen allowed players, Marko Mitrovic has had to prioritize versatile players in the squad, but he will also be supported by the leadership of three overage players. Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmermanand Djordje Mihailovic will be the representatives with experience in the senior national team, charged with guiding the youth through the tournament.
US U-23 group stage schedule
Always Oriental
- July 24: United States vs. France, 3 p.m. (USA Network, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com)
- July 27: United States vs. New Zealand, 1 p.m. (USA Network, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com)
- July 30: United States vs. Guinea, 1 p.m. (USA Network, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com)
Where are the stars?
Because the Olympic Games do not take place during a FIFA international period, clubs are not obliged to release players for the tournament. Players like Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi are all eligible to play in the Olympics, but were not called up or clubs chose not to release them. Due to Reyna’s minutes in the Copa America, it was unlikely that he would participate in the Olympics anyway. It is a heavy burden on the legs to play two summer tournaments. That is why Robinson is the only member of the Olympic team who has also participated in the Copa. Robinson was an unused substitute for the USMNT during the Copa America, but is expected to be a starting center back as the USMNT hunt for a gold medal.
These roster limitations make it more difficult to actually field a top-level roster, but they are issues that every men’s team must grapple with in this day and age. Thierry Henrythe French coach, expected to miss Kylian Mbappé, but the rejections he has experienced of teams around the world, his Olympic squad looks very different than expected.
America runs on Duncan
A byproduct of the roster limitations is Orlando City’s Duncan McGuire is the one and only number nine recorded by Mitrovic. Players like Haji Wright or Brandon Vazquez would have made sense as perennial inclusions, but without them, McGuire’s nine is there to show what he can do. Best known for his transfer error where a paper error prevented him from joining Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, this is a chance to make history. The U.S. men have never medaled at the Olympics in soccer, so if they could accomplish that feat, it would certainly bring transfer interest.
In MLS this season, McGuire has seven goals and one assist in 19 games played. While not a bad result, it is off the pace of his impressive rookie season, in which he scored 13 goals and added three assists. Because Orlando has actually signed up his replacement Luis MurielThere has been less playing time, but at the Olympics McGuire will be the man.
a Venice link
The duo with a lot of say in how far the United States goes in the Olympics is Tanner Tessman and Gianluca Busio. As the club’s partner in Italy and their country, this Olympic tournament could be the last time they take the field together. Tessman looks set for a move to Inter, which could see him loaned out to another team, but like McGuire, the duo have the chance to make history in Paris. They will be without Aidan Morris following his move to Middlesbrough, but that doesn’t mean these two can’t carry the United States alongside Mihailovic. The coherence is there, and that can be crucial.
US Men’s Olympic Games Squad
Goalkeepers (2): Patrick Schulte (Columbus crewGaga Slonina (Chelsea)
Defenders (6):Maximilian Dietz (Greuther Furth), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union, Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United FC), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielders (5):Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Benjamin Cremaschi (InterMiami CF), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado rapids), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia)
Forward (5):Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht), Taylor Booth (FC Utrecht), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg/DU), Griffin Yes (KVC Westerlo/BEL)