James NaltonBy James Nalton.
The United States men’s football team exited the Olympic games at the quarterfinal stage in Paris, losing 4-0 to a lively and impressive Morocco side.
This was the first time the USA men had made the quarterfinals at the Olympics since the 2000 Sydney Games. There, it managed to defeat Japan but lost to Spain in the semis and to Chile in the bronze medal match.
This Olympic campaign was bookended by two heavy defeats, having lost 3-0 to France in the opener. In the two games in between they showed some promise and several talented and enterprising players were able to display their skills.
Griffin Yow, John Tolkin, Nathan Harriel, Tanner Tessmann, Jack McGlynn and Kevin Peredes are among the names whose stock has risen during this tournament, but as a team, it couldn’t match a Morocco side that was outstanding on the day.
A penalty conceded early on by Harriel gave Morocco the chance to take the lead. Patrick Schulte guessed the right way in the USA goal, but the tournament’s top scorer Soufiane Rahimi put his spot-kick accurately into the bottom corner.
This Morocco team was the biggest attacking threat the USA has faced so far in this tournament. The opening game pitted the USA against hosts and gold medal favourites France, but Thierry Henry’s side was not as dangerous with the ball in that game as the 3-0 scoreline suggested.
There was a chance for the USA in the second half just before Morocco scored its second. Tessmann, taking the ball as he so often does with a feint of the body and a clean reception, sent in a cross that was met by Walker Zimmerman who had stayed up following a corner. Zimmerman’s header found his center-back partner Robinson, but his shot went wide.
Ilias Akhomach made it two for Morocco shortly after, following some great work from Abde Ezzalzouli down the left, before one of its overage stars, Achraf Hakimi (though still only 25), added a third, breezing past Tolkin and finding the corner.
The final goal was an example of the kind of handball incident that should never be given as a penalty, but nevertheless it was, against the once again unfortunate Harriel, and substitute El Mehdi Maouhoub added a fourth from the spot.
The USA ended what was at times a promising tournament on a deflating note. There are a number of positives to take from France as well as plenty of things to learn from and improve.
