Though the knockout loss to a dominant Morocco was disappointing, USMNT can build off what they accomplished in Olympics
Despite a disappointing end, the U.S. men's national team's run at the 2024 Olympics should be considered a relative success for U.S. Soccer. The U23 men's team qualified for the first time since 2008, made it to the knockouts for the first time in 24 years and – until they ran into a dominant Morocco side in Friday's 4-0 quarterfinal loss – gave U.S. fans more than a few moments for celebration.
The focus now shifts to what's next. With attention on two major tournaments to be held in the U.S. in upcoming years – the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the senior side, followed by the 2028 Olympic Games for the U23 squad – qualification and advancement has to become the standard, not an achievement.
“We know that the World Cup is the highest tournament," U.S. Coach Marko Mitrovic said. "The Olympic Games are the biggest event that humanity created and once you are in the Olympic Games you are in a big spotlight. For them to feel that, to live that moment – I think before this tournament, there was uncertainty for them, what that looks like."
Still, U.S. Soccer can build off what it accomplished in Paris. It wasn't a perfect showing by Mitrovic's team, but the Americans offered reasons for optimism. From Kevin Paredes' breakout tournament to Tanner Tessman's rising stock to a first real glimpse at what Paxten Aaronson can bring to the program, the core of this young generation is a reason for U.S. fans to be hopeful.
GOAL takes a look at the winners and losers of the USMNT's Olympic run.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Kevin Paredes
Kevin Paredes had a sensational tournament, all things considered.
With two goals and an assist in four games, the 21-year-old truly reached a new level in Paris. Even in the 4-0 loss in the quarterfinals, to Morocco, Paredes was one of the few bright spots.
Of all the players on the roster, minus Tanner Tessmann, he seems most likely to contribute to the first-team's path of competing in the 2026 World Cup. He truly seems like a star in the making.
Named U.S. Soccer's 2023 Male Young Player of the Year, Paredes had a breakout season in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg. Coming into the Paris Games, the USMNT needed him more than any other attacker to elevate their game, and he did just that.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Miles Robinson
Something was off with the FC Cincinnati defender all tournament. Robinson never stood out across all four matches, even though he kept a clean sheet against Guinea.
He lacked chemistry with those around him, often found himself out of position, and struggled playing out of the back.
In hindsight, it feels like a mistake for U.S. Soccer to have sent him to Copa America, where he didn't play, instead of having him participate in the June camp under Mitrovic. And it brings into question whether or not Robinson made the right decision to stay with FC Cincinnati in MLS when he was rumored to have interest from Europe after the 2023 season.
Instead of challenging himself with an Eredivisie or Bundesliga team, as was rumored, he opted to stay in MLS and join the reigning Supporters' Shield winners in Ohio.
At age 26, he has yet to take the next step to elevate his game and deliver on his potential. Paris was another opportunity to do that, but he looked like a teenage player on the roster instead of a veteran with 29 senior national team caps.
WINNER: Tanner Tessmann
Tanner Tessmann's stock rose in Paris more than any other player on the roster. He's been linked with a big-time summer move since the transfer window opened in June, but now, he's becoming even more of a commodity.
The Venezia midfielder earned promotion to Serie A this season after a brilliant campaign, and he's since been linked with moves to Inter Milan, Everton, Fiorentina and now, AS Roma as well.
The 23-year-old was the best midfielder for the USMNT all tournament long, playing as both as a No. 6 and as an No. 8, expressing versatility across the middle of the pitch under Mitrovic. As a result, there's reason to be excited about his progress at the club and international level.
With Tyler Adams injury issues, there's reason to be intrigued at the thought of Tessmann being brought into the senior team for that role.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Marko Mitrovic
There were numerous positives for Mitrovic this tournament. He led the U.S. through qualification and into the knockouts, something last accomplished in 2000. Still, there was also much to be desired for the squad that competed in Paris, particularly in the roster selection.
The exclusion of Diego Luna still remains baffling. He's a player who should have been locked-in on the 18-man roster. On top of the Real Salt Lake man, the U.S. lacked true firepower in the forward position. Bringing just one striker in Duncan McGuire, who didn't register a shot across four matches and two starts, feels like a massive mistake – and not just in retrospect. Paxten Aaronson filled in admirably at striker, but the U.S. was clearly underwhelming in that area.
The overage players selected were largely disappointing, and the U.S. should have strongly considered another forward instead of another midfielder such as Djordje Mihailovic. France and Morocco, the two teams who beat the U.S., showed how valuable the overage slots could be.
On Les Bleus, Crystal Palace star Jean Philippe-Mateta and Lyon veteran Alexandre Lacazette took the two overage slots while PSG star Achraf Hakimi, ex-Barcelona man Abde Ezzalzouli, and a prolific overage scorer in Soufiane Rahimi helped power the Atlas Lions past the Americans Friday.
The USMNT, meanwhile, were hampered in making impactful selections. They couldn't include age-eligible players like Yunus Musah, Ricardo Pepi, Johnny Cardoso, Kristoffer Lund, Joe Scally, Bryan Reynolds, Malik Tillman, Folarin Balogun or Gio Reyna due to decisions by their club teams.
Yet they could have looked at Liga MX standouts such as Brandon Vazquez and Cade Cowell. Those players are game-changers, which the U.S. could have used against the higher-caliber opponents.
