The United States Under-23 Men’s National Team heads to France for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, looking to earn the first medal in program history. While the tournament is beneath the World Cup in prestige, there is a distinct honor in representing one’s country and reaching the awards podium. The first Group A opponent is probably the toughest, as Marko Mitrović’s side will have to contend with the hosts. The match is set for Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome, a 67,394-seat venue with an AirFibr hybrid grass surface. The two nations met earlier this year in a friendly that ended in a 2-2 draw.
Looking to claim a second gold medal after winning the tournament at the 1984 Games, hosts France qualified for the second-consecutive time after a gap that lasted from 1996 through 2020. In addition to the aforementioned exhibition, Les Bleus (The Blues) defeated the Ivory Coast (3-2), Paraguay (4-1) and the Dominican Republic (7-1) and drew with Japan (1-1). Thierry Henry was appointed to the Under-21 and Under-23 manager positions in August of 2023, replacing Sylvain Ripoll who led a “disappointing performance at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.” The legendary former striker — who “embodies the Olympic ambition of the federation” — has been searching for the right situation, working in various capacities at Arsenal’s youth ranks, Belgium, Monaco, and the Montreal Impact to different but largely underwhelming levels of success. Perhaps apt for this particular role, he has expressed an appreciation for “working with young people” and is endeavoring to “solve the problem” by returning his home nation to the podium, having “put water in his wind” by operating with more “empathy and vulnerability” after past disappointments.
Henry named an 18-player roster for the Olympics, including three overage call-ups. Eleven of the talents are on the books in domestic Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, and the remaining seven compete in England, Germany, and Spain. Andy Diouf is unable to compete due to club responsibilities but “remained available as an alternative,” while Paris Saint-Germain was reportedly “reluctant” to release Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola.
GOALKEEPERS (2):
Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Obed Nkambadio (Paris FC)
DEFENDERS (6):
Adrien Truffert (Rennes), Kiliann Sildillia (SC Freiburg), Bradley Locko (Brest), Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig), Soungoutou Magassa (Monaco), Loïc Badé (Sevilla)
MIDFIELDERS (5):
Désiré Doué (Rennes), Manu Koné (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Enzo Millot (VfB Stuttgart), Joris Chotard (Montpellier)
FORWARDS (5):
Rayan Cherki (Lyon), Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
Henry has alternated between 4-3-3, 4-4-2, and 4-3-1-2 formations during his brief spell in charge of the U-21 and U-23 teams, aiming to fit his tactics around the existing player base – there is a paucity of outside midfielders and attackers, thus the team “cannot play with wide wingers” and relies on the fullbacks to spread out the opponent’s shape. In the past, he expressed a desire to take risks and stated, “We don’t go to war: so, play, dare, provoke, try,” a sentiment that often runs counter to the starchier nature of the international game. His hope is to “press and get the ball,” while also relying on passing to progress possession instead of dribbling. As is the modern preference, the deep-lying midfielder will drop back behind the centre-backs to start the build-up and also maintain a numerical superiority in the event of a turnover.
Projected France Starting XI:
Despite several teams using an overage spot on the goalkeeper position, teenager Guillaume Restes is expected to get the start, having completed a full season in Ligue 1 with Toulouse and picking up extra experience in pre-tournament friendlies. The 19-year-old talent displays a patience and a calmness when the opponent approaches, only reacting when necessary and oftentimes kicking out a leg on the low balls. He is a pure shot-stopper and rarely leaves his line to meet attackers or hail crosses, focused on maintaining his positioning and never being caught on the wrong foot.
