James NaltonBy James Nalton.
The United States men’s team showed style to go with substance as it reached the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games after cruising to a convincing 3-0 win against Guinea.
A Djordje Mihailovic opener and a goal in each half from 21-year-old Kevin Paredes put the USA clear in second place behind France, who recorded a matching scoreline, defeating New Zealand 3-0 in the other game.
Guinea had played well in its previous game, against France, only losing 1-0 and unfortunate to not get a draw or even more. But it started poorly against the United States, though this had as much to do with the USA’s proactive defending from the front as Guinea’s own failings building out from the back.
It was a dynamic that created numerous half-chances for the USA early on.
Griffin Yow took advantage of an error from Guinea goalkeeper Soumaila Sylla, who then made up for his error by saving outstretched from Yow’s subsequent shot.
The 21-year-old Yow, who plays for Westerlo in Belgium, followed up his impressive displays off the bench in previous games with a performance that should secure his place in the starting XI going forward.
Paredes and Paxten Aaronson also had early chances but couldn’t connect properly with their shots.
The USA eventually got the goal to show for their promising start. Yow was fouled by Bangaly Cisse in a dangerous area, and Mihailovic found the top corner with the free kick.
Yow caused trouble for Guinea again, getting off a shot from a Paredes cross which didn’t quite cross the line
Aaronson, playing as a false 9, set up Paredes for the USA’s second goal which really reinforced its dominance in the opening half.
Guinea did have some threatening moments, but each was thwarted in some fashion by the USA defence and goalkeeper. Patrick Schulte wasn’t tested too much between the posts but was in position when needed, and did produce an outstanding save at the end to have his own moment.
Elsewhere in the defensive unit, full-backs John Tolkin and Nathan Harriel continued to impress for the USA.
Once the USA went 2-0 up some watching on TV may have turned over to see the USA women’s gymnastics team win gold in artistic gymnastics.
Any viewers switching back shortly after will have returned to a scrappy game broken up by substitutions, but another moment of quality from the United States soon followed.
One of those substitutes, Jack McGlynn, used his most accurate of passing radars to pick out Paredes on the opposite side of the area. Paredes then jinked inside, firing into the net with the help of a slight deflection for his second of the game.
The gymnastics may have served as a reminder that these football matches are part of the wider games. This can sometimes be forgotten as football, wherever it is played, often operates in its own bubble, but the Olympic element will become more apparent with the knockout stages imminent, especially as the USA will play its quarterfinal in Paris.
Making the knockouts would have been the minimum aim for this U23 team at the start of these games, and it’s one it has achieved with two good results following the disappointing result in the opener against France.
Marko Mitrović’s side has also managed this with encouraging style — in stark contrast to the men’s senior team’s performance at the Copa America, more in keeping with the USA women’s promising displays under new head coach Emma Hayes at this Olympics.
The men will now face Morocco in that quarterfinal in Paris on Friday, with a possible meeting with Japan or Spain in the semis in Marseille if progress is made.
The initial aim has been met, and now the real Olympic test begins.
