The U.S. men’s national team is back in Olympic action for the first time 2008 and aspirations are high in Marko Mitrovic’s squad.
The Americans open their group stage schedule on Wednesday against Olympic hosts France, the favorites of the tournament. After 16 years away from Olympic play, the USMNT brings several players with senior experience to the table including overage players Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson, and Djordje Mihailovic.
All three will be fighting to use this opportunity to springboard themselves back into the senior national team picture this fall, with a new head coach set to be named the near future.
In addition, many young players are seeking to make their mark in the competition including goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, midfielder Jack McGlynn, and forward Duncan McGuire. All three have quickly become new starring faces in MLS, similar to several of their international teammates who now play abroad.
The talent and determination is visible in the group and a strong showing against Les Bleus is what the Americans hope will be a starting point en route to a gold medal.
“I think once we reflect on our lives in the future, we will be proud that we play this game,” Mitrovic said Tuesday to reporters. “We are very grateful to play that game tomorrow. It’s going to stay forever for us, but it’s only one of three games that we have in the group stage and the points of the game count the same as in the other games.”
“This tournament can be a stepping stone in many people’s career, not only with the senior team but just in a career as a whole,” Schulte said in a press conference. “But everyone here knows that the collective goal is to win a gold medal, and if we can do that, if we can put a good showing together, then the sky’s the limit for players here in this group.”
France, New Zealand, and Guinea will oppose the Americans in group stage play over the next seven days.
Source link : https://sbisoccer.com/2024/07/usmnt-believe-sky-is-the-limit-in-olympic-return
Author : Larry Henry Jr
Publish date : 2024-07-24 00:57:40
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Author : soccernews
Publish date : 2024-07-24 02:00:48
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.