The U.S. Men’s Olympic Soccer Team got their 2024 campaign off to a humbling start as they allowed three unanswered goals in their loss to France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Wednesday night.
Head coach Marko Mitrovic went with a 4-2-3-1 formation as the men made their return to the tournament for the first time since the 2008 games.
The first half remained scoreless as both sides slowly worked their way into creating chances as each ended with a shot a piece on goal. However, the action would pick up in the second interval with the host gaining the upper hand.
The French received a scare in the 59th minute when Djordje Mihailovic cranked a shot from distance that came crashing off the frame of the goal. That led Les Bleus to launch an attack of their own that paid dividends in the 61st minute when Alexandre Lacazette received the ball from Michael Olise to take his own chance from long-range as his shot beat U.S. goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
The U.S. had a pair of chances to equalize. Paxten Aaronson’s headed attempt in the 63rd minute off a cross from Kevin Paredes was well saved by French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes. Seconds later, John Tolkin‘s header crashed off the post following another cross from Paredes.
However, the French pair would reverse roles eight minutes later to double the host nation’s lead as the overage player set up the young midfielder who curled his shot around the outstretched hands of Schulte.
Loic Bade completed the scoring for France in the 85th minute when he headed in a corner kick from Joris Chotard.
A tough loss for the Americans in their opening game, but they will look to bounce back on Saturday when they face New Zealand.
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