Stade Geoffroy-Guichard; Saint-Etienne, France
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock, and Telemundo
Date: July 30, 2024
Tournament: 2024 Olympic Men’s Soccer Tournament Match No. 18
Venue: Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France
The U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer Team is gearing up to take on Guinea in a match that could secure their spot in the Olympic quarterfinals. Here’s a look at tonight’s starting lineup and some key notes to get you ready for the game.
- Patrick Schulte
- Nathan Harriel
- Walker Zimmerman
- Maximilian Dietz
- John Tolkin
- Kevin Paredes
- Tanner Tessmann (Capt.)
- Griffin Yow
- Paxten Aaronson
- Miles Robinson
- Djordje Mihailovic
Substitutes:
- Gaga Slonina
- Taylor Booth
- Duncan McGuire
- Benjamin Cremaschi
- Jack McGlynn
- Caleb Wiley
- Josh Atencio
Game Notes
The USA can move on to the quarterfinals with a win or a draw, provided New Zealand either draws or loses to France in their simultaneous match in Marseille.
Changes and Updates:
- Head Coach Marko Mitrović has made two changes from the lineup that beat New Zealand 4-1. Maximilian Dietz and Griffin Yow are starting for the first time this tournament, replacing Gianluca Busio and Duncan McGuire.
- Injury Update: Gianluca Busio is out with a leg injury. Josh Atencio has been called up as his replacement and might join the 18-player roster once Busio recovers.
Player Experience:
U-23 Caps:
- Tanner Tessmann (12)
- Djordje Mihailovic (11)
- Nathan Harriel (9)
- John Tolkin (9)
- Maximilian Dietz (8)
- Paxten Aaronson (7)
- Walker Zimmerman (6)
- Patrick Schulte (5)
- Griffin Yow (5)
- Kevin Paredes (4)
- Miles Robinson (4)
Senior USMNT Caps:
- Walker Zimmerman (42)
- Miles Robinson (29)
- Djordje Mihailovic (11)
- John Tolkin (4)
- Kevin Paredes (3)
- Tanner Tessmann (2)
- Paxten Aaronson (1)
- Duncan McGuire (1)
- Patrick Schulte (1)
- Maximilian Dietz (0)
- Nathan Harriel (0)
- Griffin Yow (0)
Sixteen of the 18 players on today’s squad are making their Olympic debut. Midfielder Josh Atencio and goalkeeper Gaga Slonina are the only two yet to play in the Olympics.
Overage Players:
Djordje Mihailovic (25), Miles Robinson (27), and Walker Zimmerman (31) are the team’s overage players. Zimmerman stands out with 42 caps for the senior national team, making him the fifth most experienced player among the U.S. overage contingent since the rule was introduced in 1996.
MLS Connections:
Ten of the 11 players in the starting XI have played in Major League Soccer (MLS) or developed in an MLS academy. Clubs associated with these players include:
- Philadelphia Union: Paxten Aaronson
- Chargers SC: Nathan Harriel
- Chicago Fire FC, CF Montreal: Djordje Mihailovic
- D.C. United, Bethesda SC: Kevin Paredes
- Atlanta United FC, FC Greater Boston Bolts: Miles Robinson
- FC Dallas: Tanner Tessmann
- D.C. United: Griffin Yow
- FC Dallas, LAFC: Walker Zimmerman
Defensive Pairing:
Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman have paired in central defense for both the senior USMNT and the Olympic team 11 times, boasting an impressive 8-2-1 record. Their chemistry has been a cornerstone in official competitions, including the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Historic Firsts:
- Tanner Tessmann is the first U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer player from Alabama.
- Kevin Paredes and Griffin Yow join Brandon Pollard (Atlanta 1996) as the only players from Virginia to represent the U.S. at the Olympics.
- Griffin Yow becomes the third U.S. player based in Belgium to compete in the Olympics, following Ian Feuer and Steve Snow.
Previous Meetings:
This is the first encounter between the U.S. and Guinea in Olympic soccer. The U.S. team has a group stage record of 5 wins, 4 losses, and 5 draws since the Under-23 rule was introduced in 1992.
Match Officials:
- Referee: Tess Olofsson from Sweden, who officiated at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
The stakes are high as the U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer Team faces Guinea, with a quarterfinal spot on the line. Tune in at 1 p.m. ET to catch all the action and follow the live updates on social media.
