The USA men have qualified for the Olympics for the first time since 2008, but it faces a major task when it takes on host nation France. The first of three group-stage games can set the tone for the rest of the Olympic soccer tournament. Additionally, these significant games against top opposition are important for the development of a youth side for US Soccer.
Some hope that qualifying for 2024 before hosting 2028 will be as important as qualifying for the 1990 World Cup before hosting in 1994. How will the US fare in their group in Paris? They could get a quick education when they open up against France.
US squad calls on familiar names for youth development
When the US roster for the Olympics was announced, the news of who wasn’t on it overshadowed who was. Diego Luna was a big part of the team qualifying for the Olympics and is having a banner year for Real Salt Lake. Unfortunately, he was only offered a spot as an alternate, which he declined.
Despite being a U23 tournament, manager Marko Mitrovic has managed to call in some players with senior national team experience. The three overage players are Walker Zimmerman (a 2022 World Cup veteran), Miles Robinson (3 goals in 29 senior caps), and Djordje Mihailovic (9 caps for the senior national team).
But it isn’t just the overage players with full national team experience. Midfielder Gianluca Busio was part of the Gold Cup-winning team in 2021. Defender John Tolkin earned three senior caps last year and one this year. And while midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi may only have one senior appearance to his name, he’s spent the last year at his club playing with Lionel Messi, bagging six goals for Inter Miami.
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Building on the soccer momentum for the United States
This year presented the Summer of Soccer with Euro 2024, Copa America, and the Olympics happening….
Author : Lawrence Dockery
Publish date : 2024-07-23 22:30:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
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Author : soccernews
Publish date : 2024-07-23 22:34:18
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.