U.S Men’s and Women’s Olympic coaches Marko Mitrovic and Emma Hayes recently
announced their rosters for the upcoming 2024 Summer Paris Olympics. Both the coaches and
players spoke to media ahead of the Olympics speaking on the importance of participating, significance of key players, and many other things regarding their upcoming participation the
tournament.
Initially Mitrovic opened up the press conference by congratulating both his squad for reaching
the tournament after a 16 year absence and then also for the importance of both the men and
womens team participating in the Olympics together and cheering each other on.
“Today is a special day for us. We announced our roster. And yeah, we’re excited to go to the
Olympic Games. We are going there after 16 years on the men’s side. But also we’re very excited
that we’re going to be together with our women’s team after almost two decades. We’ll have both
teams representing our country at the Olympic Games.”
Dream and Responsibility in participating at the Olympics
The media initially asked both Zimmerman and Horan on the first thing that comes to mind when
they each think of the Olympics and getting to participate in the prestigious tournament.
Zimmerman replied saying how, “Well, I don’t have the Olympic pedigree that Lindsay does, so
for me, first time going to the Olympics, obviously as an overage player on the men’s side, you
know, my cycle, we didn’t qualify. And that’s when I thought, my dream is over. I won’t have the
chance to play in the Olympics. And then as things materialize later this year, just getting this
opportunity is amazing. It’s something I’ve always watched growing up, something I’ve always
wanted to participate in. And again, I thought that was over and so I’m just excited and can’t wait
to get going in France.”
Horan responded saying how, “Kind of what Walker just said. I think one, it’s just like a World
Cup. You get to go represent your nation, your country, but it’s so much more. We’re sitting
alongside the men’s national team coach and player over here, and we get to represent them as
well. We’re representing Team USA, and that’s what the Olympics is all about. I think that is
such a cool and special opportunity for all of us players. Like we’re representing just a little bit
more when we get to cheer on, you know, them and the rest of our country and the rest of Team
USA.”
A plethora of options for USMNT AND USWNT at the Olympics
Another question the media asked was on the plethora of options both coaches have at their
disposal more specifically on the alternates and how they can be utilized in these Olympics.
Hayes responded saying how, “I mean, first of all, I view the fact that there’s 22 players going to
the Olympics and that we have to prepare every player to be able to perform if required. And the
reality with alternates is that if there is a temporary injury to a player on the roster within the 18,
as long as we give six hours notice, we’re able to make a temporary change and we can then
change that for a following game. So from my perspective, nothing changes, maybe it gives us a
little bit more flexibility, but there’s 22 players.”
Boost in Morale, something to prove for the USWNT
A final question asked by the media was to Lindsey Horan on the team having a very storied
history of excellence and the outcome of the last World Cup wasn’t what they wanted, so how as
a leader can she rebuild team morale for a big stage like the Olympics and does it help that new
faces are on the roster.
Horan replied saying how, “Absolutely. like you said, this is a team that strives for excellence.
We always want to be at the top of that podium at the end of the day. I think after the World Cup,
we really regrouped. We’ve been working extremely hard over this past year, especially these last
few months. With Emma coming in and everything that she’s done, contributed, I think it’s a very
exciting time. When you look at the young players coming in, the leaders on this team, the big
mesh of what we have, I think what you’re going to see and what’s in store for us is incredible.
We want a gold medal at the end of the day and that’s what we’re striving to do.”
What’s Next
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the USWNT opens Group B play on July 25 against Zambia in Nice
and then will face Germany on July 28 in Marseille. The USA will finish group play against
Australia on July 31 in Marseille.
The USMNT will kick off their Olympic return on Wednesday, July 24 against host France in
Marseille. The USA will then take on New Zealand on Saturday, July 27 in Marseille and finish
the group stage against Guinea on Tuesday, July 30 in Saint-Etienne.