SAINT-ETIENNE, France — After three group-stage games away from the main stage of the Summer Olympics, the U.S. men’s Olympic team is finally — finally — headed to Paris.
What is waiting there? The opportunity they’ve been waiting for: the first Olympic knockout match for the American men’s team in 24 years.
It was a reward for the USA after a brave and good performance here on a steamy Tuesday afternoon. Taking the moment in front of them, the group of (mostly) young Americans started fast and held steady to claim a 3-0 victory over Guinea at the Geoffrey Guichard Stadium.
The win cemented second place in Group A for the USA, and set up a match with Morocco in the quarterfinals on Saturday at the Parc des Princes, home of Paris Saint-Germain.
Djordje Mihailovic, one of three overtime players allowed per team at this U-23 tournament, opened the scoring for the USA with a masterful free kick that swooped over the Guinea wall before diving into the side of the goal in the 14th minute.
It was Mihailovic’s second goal in as many games, and even the passionate Guinean fans — who were vocal throughout the 90 minutes — seemed to agree.
“We knew that if we came out of the first minute, stepped on the gas, and got the first goal, we would be in a very good position,” said defender Walker Zimmerman, “and what happened was a good free kick from Djordje to set the tone.” again.”
Mihailovic has been a match for USA coach Marko Mitrovic all tournament, but one of the changes the coach made before the match was to insert Griffin Yow up top with Paxten Aaronson and Kevin Paredes — a move that, on paper, seemed to promise movement and activity.
It was sent. The trio were dynamic from the start, going back and forth and rarely hesitating to test Guinea goalkeeper Soumalia Sylla.
Paredes, who has been the most consistent player in this US tournament, cut down hard for Tanner Tessmann, but saw the midfielder’s first shot saved. Paredes then tried again with a silky pass that Yow caught out of the air, only to stare as it ricocheted off the base of the post. However, another goal was inevitable.
The Americans finally got the double just after the half-hour mark, and it was Paredes who scored instead of trying to set up someone else.
Aaronson took the ball in midfield and, after a few sideways steps, turned it inch-perfectly through the Guinean defense and straight into the path of Paredes. With Sylla out to try and narrow the angle, Paredes didn’t hesitate and drilled a low, powerful shot under the keeper before cutting in to celebrate at the corner flag with some dance moves.
“I’ve played with and against Paxton since I was little, so we know each other very well,” Paredes said. “We know each other’s qualities and yes, he put me in a good position to score. I just had to do the easy part just to hit the net.”
Paredes then closed the scoring with a more ruthless effort, firing a wicked shot after dribbling into the right side of the penalty area with 15 minutes remaining. The goal made him the first American to score multiple goals in an Olympic game since Ricky Davis in 1984.
“I think this tournament could be a (breakout) for him in his career,” Mitrovic said of Paredes. “He has a lot of qualities and he always tries to be clinical, but he is more mature in the final third and that is good for his future as a player.”
By the time Paredes had finished scoring, the Guinean appeared to be mostly wilting from the heat, and at the final whistle, he collapsed as US players celebrated on the pitch.
It’s been a steady build for the Americans in this tournament, as they started with a disappointing 3-0 loss to France in their opener — the scoreline didn’t reflect what felt like a better effort — but bounced back with a breakout performance against New Zealand, 4-1 win that put them in a position to go through if they can maintain their level.
They did. No US men’s team has ever won a medal in the modern Olympic era, and that piece of history has motivated the Americans since they began training.
Now, the hunt is still on. Paris is waiting.