The United States men’s soccer team secured its first victory at the Paris Olympics after suffering a 3-0 loss to France in their opening match. The Americans bounced back with an impressive 4-1 win against New Zealand at Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Djordje Mihailović scored the opening goal from the penalty spot just four minutes into the game. Walker Zimmerman, one of the overage players allowed in each squad, added a second goal from close range after a scramble in the opposition’s penalty area. Gianluca Busio found the back of the net for the third goal in the first half, while Paxten Aaronson scored the fourth goal just before the hour mark. New Zealand’s Jesse Randall managed to pull one back with a consolation goal.
One of the standout moments of the match was Busio’s goal, which came from his second attempt after his initial shot was blocked. Despite his injury forcing him to be substituted before halftime, Busio’s goal helped secure three crucial points for the U.S. team.
The pressure was on the Americans to perform after their initial defeat, but they managed to turn things around with an early penalty goal from Mihailović. This victory marked the first time in 24 years that the U.S. men’s team scored four goals in a single Olympic match, boosting their confidence for the upcoming games.
In their next match, the U.S. will face Guinea, where another win would bring them closer to advancing to the quarterfinals. On the other hand, New Zealand, who still have a chance to progress, will face tough competition against France in their final group stage game.
The emphatic victory against New Zealand has put the U.S. team in a good position to control their fate in the tournament. With their sights set on the medal round, the Americans are gearing up for their upcoming matches with renewed confidence and determination.