Team USA vs. France men's soccer score: Americans dominated by hosts in Paris Olympics opener (2024)

Almost for Yow

For the first time, the United States has the ball in the back of the net but it won't count as Yow was offside. While it won't count though, it could be enough for Yow to start the next match.

Eight minutes of stoppage

It's a little better than some of the numbers seen so far during the Olympics but still quite a lot of stoppage coming.

Thrice as nice

Loic Bade made sure this was out of sight with a thumping header. Quite a collapse from the United States after so much good to start the match.

Griffin Yow enters

He's no stranger to sparking U.S. comebacks as he's done this against France before but Jack McGlynn and Taylor Booth will also enter as Mitrovic looks for a quick goal.

Oh my word Olise

It's France again as this has quickly gotten out of hand. Lacazett go that ball to Olise outside the box and the Bayern Munich man fired an absolute rocket from outside the box. 20 minutes to pull a goal back but this result feels finalized.

Good response so far

After conceding, the United States has been able to force France into a few saves to ensure that there's something to think about here.

There's Lacazette

The United States did well in keeping its composure but when it came down to it, Lacazette was there to finish France's chance. There is time for an equalizer but when France is in front of a home crowd, it's going to be tough to claw back.

Off the bar!!

It's the best attack so far for the United States as Mihailovic ripped a shot from outside the box. Restes had no chance but the shot rattled off the bar and away from danger.

Great job by Robinson

Lacazette was going for goal but the United States defense got into their positions well so that Robinson could intercept well. Inching closer to the 60th minute of play, it's still level.

Corner to France

It was a good play by Truffert to force the corner but a poor take by Oliese as France couldn't make anything of the chance. The United States isn't leaving much room for French attacks at all.

Back underway in Marseille

No changes for either side as the score is still level.

The United States will take that

It's level at the half but both the United States and France have had their moments. Mitrovic will feel better of the two coaches after the composure shown by his midfield but it's anyone's game after 45 minutes have passed.

Offside but the right idea

Aaronson got into space and smashed a shot toward goal but it was handled before it became too dangerous. While the United States hasn't scored yet, their long balls are giving France trouble in the early going.

France has their first shot on target

It took until the 36th minute for Schulte to be tested in net which is a good thing but when that was the first shot on target for either side, both coaches will want more from their attacks.

France is growing into the game

After a slow start, France's attack is starting to spend more time in the attacking third of the pitch. The crosses are not finding their target yet but if the United States can's slow this down, it will be a long day.

France are pushing possession

But the United States will be happy. France has been held without a shot so far as the United States team is much more composed in the early going. One of the positives of these players being around the senior team is that no one is too unfamiliar with each other's games.

Busio wins a corner kick

These are the moments that the United States needs to capitalize on. It was a good delivery into the box that found Miles Robinson's head but he wasn't able to find a free runner in the box. A good start.

Good from Busio

Again it's about moments for the United States. Gianluca Busio had the right idea by getting an interception and immediately looking to advance play up the pitch. France was ready for it but all he needs is for one of those to come off and it could lead to a goal.

And we're off

France is on the ball early in the match but the United States defense was able to keep their composure. In front of a pro-France crowd, composure will be key.

Five minutes until kickoff

It has been 16 years since the U.S. men have been in the Olympics and that absence is about to come to an end.

Prediction

France will prove to have too much talent starting off the Olympics in style with a victory over the United States. It will be a moment to grow from as these teams won't be separated by much.Pick:France 2, United States 1

It's important to show progress

It's important to win competitive tournaments, but it's also important for players to have growth moments. People like McGlynn, Tolkin, and Paredes will be among the U-23s to watch who could take a step forward during the Olympics, but players can emerge from anywhere when faced with pressure situations. Griffin Yow wasn't even on the Olympic radar until his performances in the lead up to the tournament were so impressive that he couldn't be benched.

As long as they don't rely too much on the over-aged members of the squad, growth moments will come and those who take them will find themselves one step closer to the senior squad. If even a few of these players can make a difference there, then the job was done at the Olympics.

A Venezia connection

The duo that has plenty of say in how far the United States goes at the Olympics is Tanner Tessman and Gianluca Busio. Partnering for club in Italy and for their country, this Olympic tournament could be their final time stepping on the pitch together for a little. Tessman seems set for a move to Inter which could see him loaned out to another team but like McGuire, the duo has a chance to make history in Paris. They'll be without Aidan Morris after his move to Middlesbrough but that doesn't mean that these two can't carry the United States alongside Mihailovic. The cohesiveness is there, and that could be key.

America runs on Duncan

A byproduct of the roster restrictions is that Orlando City's Duncan McGuire is the only true number nine included by Mitrovic. Players like Haji Wright or Brandon Vazquez would've made sense as overaged inclusions but without them, the nine is McGuire's to show what he can do. Most well known for his transfer snafu where a paperwork error prevented him from going to 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 being able to accomplish that feat would surely bring transfer interest with it.

In MLS this season, McGuire has seven goals and one assist in 19 matches played. While it isn't a bad return, it is off the pace of his impressive rookie season that saw him net 13 goals and assist three more. Due to Orlando essentially signing his replacement in Luis Muriel, there has been less playing time to go around but at the Olympics, McGuire will be the guy.

USA Olympics men's roster

Goalkeepers (2): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew, Gaga 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 (Inter Miami CF), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia)

Forwards (5): Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht), Taylor Booth (FC Utrecht), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg/GER), Griffin Yow (KVC Westerlo/BEL)

U.S. U-23's group stage schedule

All times Eastern

• July 24:United States vs. France, 3 p.m. (USA Network, Peaco*ck, NBCOlympics.com)
• July 27:United States vs. New Zeland, 1 p.m. (USA Network, Peaco*ck, NBCOlympics.com)
• July 30:United States vs. Guinea, 1 p.m. (USA Network, Peaco*ck, NBCOlympics.com)

France's lineup

This is quite a talented group at Thierry Henry's disposal

Starters: Guillaume Restes, Adrien Truffert, Castello Lukeba, Loic Bade, Kilian Sildillia, Kouadio Kone, Joris Chotard, Enzo Millot, Alexandre Lacazette, Michel Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta

No surprises for the United States

Griffin Yow will begin the match on the bench but here's how Marko Mitrovic's U-23's will line up

Starters: Patrick Schulte, Nathan Harriel, Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson, John Tolkin, Gianluca Busio, Tanner Tessmann, Djordje Mihalovic, Paxten Aaronson, Duncan McGuire, Kevin Paredes

France soccer storylines

Competing in 13 previous Olympic Games, France are no strangers to this tournament but they've only recently been regulars. Prior to 2020, France had failed to qualify for five straight tournaments but now they're back and expected to win on home soil. Led by Thierry Henry, who coached in Major League Soccer with CF Montreal, France will be familiar with the some of these Americans players. Henry did need to deal with teams wanting to keep their players who were called into the squad but that is an issue that Mitrovic also needed to deal with. But behind Alexandre Lacazette and Jean-Philippe Mateta as his overaged players, Henry will have the experience to lean on that the United States could only dream of.