The USA begins their Paris 2024 Olympics against host nation France in Group A on Wednesday. This will be the first USA men’s Olympic soccer in 16 years; they last played in the 2008 Games. France’s three over-age players are forwards Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), and central defender Loïc Badé (Sevilla). Mateta’s former Palace teammate Michael Olise is the headline name among the French U-23 players. Olise joined Bayern Munich two weeks ago.
So, which players should start? The choice is yours! Make your picks, and then hit the comments to let us know what other thoughts you have about it! Looking forward to seeing the results.
Goalkeepers (2): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; St. Charles, Mo.), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea FC; Addison, Ill.)
Defenders (6): Maximilian Dietz (Greuther Fürth; Frankfurt, Germany), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union; Oldsmar, Fla.), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; Arlington, Mass.), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; Chatham, N.J.), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United; Atlanta, Ga.), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Midfielders (5): Gianluca Busio (Venezia; Greensboro, N.C.), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami; Key Biscayne, Fla.), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union; Queens, N.Y.), Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids; Jacksonville, Fla.), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia; Birmingham, Ala.)
Forwards (5): Paxten Aaronson (Utrecht; Medford, NJ), Taylor Booth (Utrecht; Eden, Utah), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City; Omaha, Neb.), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg; South Riding, Va.), Griffin Yow (Westerlo/BEL; Clifton, Va.)
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What shape would you choose? Which players are you excited about? Hit the comments to let us know.
