Football News: USMNT U23 Crash Out of 2024 Olympics in Quarterfinals
Paris, France – (GOAL) – June 1, 2024
In a disappointing result for the United States, the U23 men’s national team crashed out of the 2024 Olympics, falling to a dominant Morocco side 4-0 in the quarterfinals on Friday at the Parc Des Princes in Paris.
Achraf Hakimi’s Moroccan team controlled the match from start to finish, putting the overmatched USMNT on their heels from the opening whistle. A controversial penalty decision in the 28th minute, which saw Nathaniel Harriel penalized for a challenge on Soufiane Rahimi, set the tone as the Al-Ain striker converted to give Morocco the early lead.
The U.S. made it to halftime without conceding again, but they were unable to find a new identity on the pitch in the second half. Morocco’s dominance continued, and they added three more goals, including a stunning counter-attack finished by Ilias Akhomach and a solo effort from PSG star Achraf Hakimi, to seal the comprehensive victory.
“Despite the USMNT’s best efforts, they lacked the ambition and aggression needed to compete with the impressive Moroccan side, who thrived in front of a predominantly Moroccan crowd.”
The defeat marks the end of the U.S. U23 team’s unexpected run at the 2024 Olympics, where they were playing in the knockouts for the first time in 24 years.
While the tournament experience could be a spark for the program’s future, the USMNT were ultimately not up to the task on the day, failing to deliver when they needed to be at their best.
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