At 3 AM on July 25th, the 2024 Paris Olympic men’s football tournament will see a crucial match-up between France and the United States at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. This transatlantic clash is not only a highlight of Group A but also suggests the possible emergence of a new order in Olympic football.
As hosts, France won the gold medal in men’s football at the 1984 Olympics but has failed to replicate that success in subsequent editions. In this century, they did not qualify for the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics, only returning to the Olympic stage at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where their performance was disappointing, as they were eliminated in the group stage.
Now, under the leadership of legendary striker Thierry Henry, France did not need to go through qualifying and secured automatic entry into the Olympics. So far in 2024, France has achieved three wins and two draws in friendly matches, including a 4-1 victory over Paraguay and a 7-0 rout of the Dominican Republic. Although their 1-1 draw against Japan required a stroke of brilliance from Michael Olise, France’s strength cannot be underestimated.
The absence of Brazil adds a new variable to the competition for the men’s football gold medal. The United States, who won silver in 1904, have had a poor record for over a century and are hoping for a breakthrough. Following the senior team’s setback in the Copa America, the U.S. U23 team aims to restore pride in American football at the Olympics.
Notably, the U.S. men’s team failed to qualify for the Olympics since 2008 until they defeated Honduras in the semi-finals of the 2022 CONCACAF U20 Championship, securing their return to the Olympics after a 16-year absence from men’s football competition.
The match on Wednesday will mark the first-ever meeting between the French and American men’s Olympic football teams. While the U.S. women’s team defeated France 4-2 at the 2012 London Olympics en route to winning the gold, this men’s showdown promises to be equally compelling. In a March friendly, the two teams drew 2-2.
The French U23 team at the Paris Olympics features many notable stars and will employ a 4-3-1-2 formation. Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the attack, with Bayern Munich’s new signing Michael Olise supporting them. Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Manu Kone is a key piece in midfield. Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba and Toulouse’s 19-year-old goalkeeper Guillaume Revest are also players to watch.
In contrast, the U.S. U23 squad is relatively low-profile, but the battle for the goalkeeper position is particularly intriguing, with Chelsea’s Gabriel Slonina and Columbus Crew’s Patrick Schulte competing. Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson will partner at center-back to face off against France’s forwards. Utrecht’s Paxton Pomykal will provide creativity in the number 10 role.
Thierry Henry’s French team is strong and experienced, making them clear favorites for victory in their debut in Marseille. With their all-around strength, France is expected to secure a win in their opening match, laying the foundation for a lead in Group A.
Predicted starting line-ups:
France U23: Revest; Sidiya, Lukeba, Bard, Truffert; Millo, Kone, Jota; Olise; Matata, Lacazette
USA U23: Schulte; Harriel, Robinson, Zimmerman, Wiley; McKennie, Tessler; Busio, Pomykal, Paredes; McGeouch
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