The U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer Team's journey at the 2024 Summer Games ended with a 4-0 loss to Morocco in the quarterfinals. Despite securing their first appearance since 2008 and advancing to the knockout stage after 24 years, Morocco's dominance, led by standout players like Achraf Hakimi, proved insurmountable. The defeat marked Morocco's historic advancement to their first Olympic semifinal, while the U.S. team, under coach Marko Mitrović, achieved a milestone of winning two games in a single Olympic tournament.
#Olympics #Soccer #Morocco #Defeat #Future
#Olympics #Soccer #Morocco #Defeat #Future
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00:00The promising journey of the U.S. Olympic men's soccer team at the 2020 for Summer Games
00:06came to an end with a heartbreaking 4-0 defeat against Morocco in the quarterfinals at Parc
00:12des Princes.
00:14After securing their first appearance since 2008, the team notched two group stage victories
00:20and advanced to the knockout stage for the first time in 24 years.
00:25However, Morocco's recent footballing resurgence, highlighted by 2020 World Cup standout and
00:31Paris Saint-Germain defender Akraf Hakimi, proved too much for the Americans.
00:38Morocco dominated the first half, with Soufiane Rahimi scoring a penalty kick to take the
00:43lead.
00:45Despite a stronger start in the second half, the U.S. couldn't contain Morocco's offensive
00:50prowess.
00:52Losses by Ilyas Akhamach and Hakimi dashed any comeback hopes, and a stoppage time penalty
00:58by El-Medi Mouhaoub sealed the fate.
01:02The loss saw Morocco make history by advancing to their first Olympic semifinal, setting
01:07up a clash against either Spain or Japan.
01:11For head coach Marco Mitrovi and his squad, the campaign ended with a record of two wins,
01:16two losses, and no draws.
01:20Despite the loss, the team achieved a significant milestone by winning two games in an Olympic
01:25tournament for the first time.
01:28Mitrovi made just one change from the previous game against Guinea, introducing Jack McGlynn
01:34in place of the injured Gianluca Bassio.
01:37The lineup faced a spirited Moroccan crowd in an electric atmosphere.
01:43Morocco's squad, featuring several players familiar with French football including Hakimi,
01:49utilized their chemistry to create early chances and maintain pressure.
01:54The decisive first goal came when Nathan Hariel fouled Rahimi in the penalty area, setting
02:00up Rahimi's fifth goal of the tournament.
02:04Morocco's second and third goals unfolded with precision as Ilyas Akhamach and Hakimi
02:10capitalized on the U.S. defense's gaps.
02:14Although the Americans showed renewed energy in the second half, their efforts fell short
02:19against Morocco's tactical approach.
02:22The match stats reflected the Americans' struggle, with Morocco taking 15 shots compared
02:28to the U.S.E.'s 9, 8 of which were on target.