US men’s soccer team faces favorite France as Olympics kicks off

Kicking off the 2024 Olympics with a match against the odds-on favorites doesn’t seem ideal for the U.S. men’s soccer team.

But Wednesday’s Group A opener (3 p.m., USA Network) — two days before the torch is lit — against host nation France is an opportunity for the Americans, who have the sixth-best odds to capture gold, to restore some national pride, especially following the senior team’s group-stage elimination at Copa America that led to Gregg Berhalter’s firing.

The Stars and Stripes U-23 squad, coached by Marko Mitrovic of Serbia, qualified for the Olympics by defending its CONCACAF U-20 Championship title in 2022, breaking a 16-year drought.

The team endured a pre-tournament roller coaster, losing 2-0 to Japan and then edging Paraguay 1-0 in tune-up action.

“I think that the group that was established by coach Mikey Varas on the 20’s qualifiers two years ago actually was a great group that won CONCACAF, and by that, they earned our spot at the Olympics,” Mitrovic said at a recent press conference. “We’re always appreciative for that group, coaching staff and that team that allowed us to be at the Olympics after 16 years.”

The men’s Olympic tournament is restricted to players 23 or younger, with each 22-player squad — 18-players plus four alternates — allowed three overage players.

Captain Walker Zimmerman, who plays for Nashville SC in MLS, is one of the overage players and brings a wealth of experience and talent.

The 31-year-old center back will make his Olympic debut, though he played in the 2022 World Cup and has captained the senior team nine times.

“Obviously, as an overage player on the men’s side, my cycle we didn’t qualify, and that’s when I thought my dream is over. I won’t have the chance to play in the Olympics,” Zimmerman said. “And then as things materialized later this year, just getting this opportunity is amazing. It’s something I’ve always watched growing up, something I’ve always wanted to participate in.”

FC Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson, 27, and Colorado Rapids midfielder Djorde Mihailovic, 25, fill the other overage spots.

Benjamin Cremaschi, a 19-year-old midfielder for Inter Miami in MLS, is the youngest player in the lineup, but Mitrovic insists he is “ready to compete” on this big stage and capable of playing multiple positions.

Gianluca Busio, 22, and Tanner Tessmann, 22 — who both play for Series A club Venezia — are also valuable assets, along with attackers Taylor Booth, 23, and Paxten Aaronson, 20 — who both play for Dutch club Utrecht.

Goalkeepers Gaga Slonina, an Illinois native hailing from Chelsea Academy, and Patrick Schulte of MLS Columbus Crew are the options in net.

The rest of the lineup comprises defenders Maximilian Dietz (Greuther Furth), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United) and John Tolkin (Red Bulls). Philadelphia Union midfielder and New York native Jack McGlynn is also on the roster, with forwards Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC;), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg) and Griffin Yow (KVC Westerlo).

France, coached by former Arsenal legend and former Red Bull Thierry Henry, is seeking redemption after missing out on Olympic qualification in five straight Summer Games, only to make a disappointing exit in the group stage at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021.

If the Americans can secure a win, or even a draw against France, it would put them in a good spot for the remainder of group-stage play against New Zealand and Guinea.