Led by its devastating wingers, the U.S. Men’s Olympic team officially booked a ticket to the knockout stages of an Olympic tournament for the first time in 24 years.
Kevin Paredes scored twice while Djordje Mihailovic also added a sensational free kick goal in a 3-0 group stage finale victory over Guinea. The result now sets the Americans up for a quarterfinal clash with Morocco on Friday.
Head coach Marko Mitrović deviated slightly from his starting XI in the first two matches with the forced change of Maximilian Dietz in for the injured Gianluca Busio in midfield. Griffin Yow also got the nod over striker Duncan McGuire in the front line.
Tactically, Dietz played the single pivot, pushing Tanner Tessmann into the No. 8 role where he thrived as much as he has in his defensive midfield position. Yow took up the left-winger position with Paxten Aaronson moving inside into a false-nine role.
Within thirteen minutes of kickoff, Yow had his lone shot saved spectacularly while also assisting on two saved shots, and drawing two fouls. Suffice it to say, he was active.
The second drawn foul came just a few yards outside the box and began the U.S. party.
Set-piece specialist, Mihailovic, expertly placed his shot into the top corner with one of the best free-kicks you will ever see. Imagining a small cardboard box taped onto the intersection of the post and crossbar, the ball would’ve nestled in nicely. It’s no surprise some are beginning to call him the American James Ward-Prowse.
Then, it was Yow’s opposite winger Paredes taking over the match, drawing two fouls and assisting two saved shots — including one requiring another big save on Yow’s subsequent volley — before finally hitting the back of the net himself on a beautifully worked counterattack from the U.S.
The winger pair would continue to wreak havoc on Guinea’s defense throughout the first half and take the 2-0 lead into halftime.
Among the…
Source link : https://sbisoccer.com/2024/07/usmnt-olympic-team-downs-guinea-books-first-quarterfinal-trip-since-2000
Author : Justin Ruderman
Publish date : 2024-07-30 20:25:13
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