USMNT & USWNT Olympic performances were ones to recognize, but each ended differently

Photos taken by Francisco Avila; Featured in photo in left to right: (USWNT U-23
Olympics Coach Emma Hayes and USMNT U-23 Olympics Coach Marko Mitrović)
Both the USWNT and the USMNT U-23 squads entered this summer’s Paris Olympics with high
expectations and both entering the competition in different situations and circumstances. The
USMNT entered the men’s soccer tournament in Paris with the senior team losing out in the
group stage in the Copa America so looking to put a positive performance for a men’s

perspective. While for the USWNT they looked to put on a positive performance and forget the
heartbreaking performance of the 2023 Women’s World Cup where they lost in the round of 16
against Sweden in penalties. In the end, both teams Olympic performances were ones to
recognize, but each ended slightly differently.
Mitrović’s USMNT played well, but underperformed to expectations
Mitrovic’s side opened the Olympics in terrible fashion after a 3-0 thrashing from Thiery
Henry’s France, but were able to bounce back with two consecutive wins against Guinea and
New Zealand, 3-0 and 4-1 respectively. However, the team were bouted out in the quarterfinals
against Hakimi lead Morroco with a whopping score of 4-0. The USMNT U-23 were able to
make some history in making it of the group stage and reaching the quarterfinals for the first
time since Sydney 2000. Some names stood out and made a name for themselves like
Wolfsburg’s and Colorado Rapids’s midfielders Kevin Parades and Djordje Mihailovic who each
scored 2 goals at the tournament. However, apart from their performances the team overall just
didn’t perform to what was expected and fell short.
Hayes side brings the U.S. back to the gold standard of Women’s football
While Mitrovic and the USMNT unperformed, the USWNT U-23 flourished during the
tournament and no doubt reached and surpassed expectations making people forget what
happened at the World Cup and consider it a minor setback to the highly successful USWNT
program. The USWNT dominated the group stage with 3-0, 4-1, and 2-1 results against Zambia,
Australia, and Germany respectively. The USWNT then were composed and mentally firm as
they surpassed Japan and again Germany 1-0 both at extra time. Then in the deciding game at the
final the USWNT were able to beat Brazil with a Chicago Red Stars forward’s Mallory Swanson
lone goal. The USWNT didn’t win because of luck, but because of a cohesive side that had
multiple players that stood out and made a difference veteran Lindsey Horan had 2 assists, Trinity
Rodman has 3 goals, Sophia Smith had 3 goals and 2 assists, and winning goal in the final,
Swanson had 4 goals and 2 assists.
What’s next for both USMNT and USWNT?
USMNT and USWNT players will now look to return to their respective clubs after the
Olympics looking for a break and to return to fitness and adaptation to either look towards their
new seasons or be fit to return right away to action.

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