ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 21: Detail of the U.S. Soccer Federation crest logo reflected in the players' and team tunnel during an international friendly match between the United States and Ecuador men's national teams at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Florida on March 21, 2019. (Photo by Robin Arum/Icon Sportswire)
With the 2024 Summer Olympics just around the corner, the team that will represent the United States at the games has been officially announced. The U.S. has been placed in Group A along with hosts France, New Zealand and Guinea. The U.S. will be looking to win its first gold medal in national history, although their most recent best result came in 2000, when they lost to Chile in the bronze medal game.
In fact, this will be their first time participating in the Olympics since 2008, when they failed to get out of the group stage, and they'll be looking to advance and do even better this year as soccer looks to continue to grow in the United States.
18 Olympic athletes
Coach Marko Mitrovic has selected an 18-man roster for the Olympics, with the following breakdown:
Goalkeeper – Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea)
Defender – Maximilian Dietz (Greuther Fürth), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), John Tolkin (NY Red Bulls), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielder – Gianluca Busio (Venice), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), Djordje Mihajlovic (Colorado Rapids), Tanner Tessman (Venice)
Forwards – Paxten Aaronsson (FC Utrecht), Taylor Booth (FC Utrecht), Duncan Maguire (Orlando City), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg), Griffin Yeo (KVC Westerlo)
Two Union players selected
Two Philadelphia Union players have been named to the 18-man Olympic squad, giving Nathan Harriel and Jack McGlynn the chance to represent their country on the big stage. Both players have been key members of the Union's starting eleven this season and are undoubtedly deserving of a call-up.
McGlynn has made 21 appearances this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists, creating more opportunities for the Union team and showing his maturity as a player and improving as a defender.
Nate Harriel has established himself as Union coach Jim Curtin's primary right back and is proving to be a talented defender. Harriel has also proven he has the ability to score, especially with his high jumps on corner kicks. It will be exciting to watch both of them on the international stage as they try to bring home the first gold medal for U.S. men's soccer.
US Olympic Games Schedule
- Wednesday, July 24: France vs. USA, 3 p.m. ET
- Saturday, July 27: New Zealand vs. USA, 1pm ET
- Tuesday, July 30: USA vs. Guinea, 1 p.m. ET
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Featured image credit: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire
