The men’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics kicks off with an enticing Group A clash between hosts France U23 and the United States U23 at the Orange Velodrome in Marseille on July 24, 2024. Both teams will be eager to start their Olympic campaigns on a high note.
Lineups, Team News and Injuries
France U23, under the guidance of Thierry Henry, appears to have a fully fit squad to choose from. The inclusion of Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette as overage players significantly bolsters their attacking options. Bayern Munich’s new signing Michael Olise is expected to play a crucial creative role behind the strikers.
Predicted France U23 Lineups: Mateta, Chotard, Lacazette, Kone, Millot, Restes, Olise, Bade, Truffert, Lukeba, Sildillia
The USA U23, led by coach Marko Mitrovic, has a minor concern over the fitness of Cade Cowell, who sustained a slight knock in training. However, the rest of the squad, including overage defenders Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson, are available for selection.
Predicted United States U23 Lineups: McGlynn, Harriel, Robinson, Aaronson, McGuire, Tessmann, Booth, Schulte, Zimmerman, Paredes, Wiley
Where to Watch
In the United States, viewers can catch the match live on USA Network, Telemundo, and Peacock. French audiences can tune in to France 2 for live coverage of their team’s Olympic opener.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head
France U23 enters the tournament in impressive form, unbeaten in their last five matches. Their preparation included a 4-1 victory over Paraguay and a 7-0 thrashing of the Dominican Republic, followed by a 1-1 draw with Japan in their final warm-up game.
The USA U23 team has had mixed results in their build-up, securing a narrow 1-0 win against Paraguay but falling to a 2-0 defeat against Japan in recent friendlies.
Interestingly, these two sides met in a friendly earlier this year, playing out an exciting 2-2 draw. That match saw goals from Rayan Cherki and Arnaud Kalimuendo for France, while Cade Cowell and Brandan Craig found the net for the USA.
Prediction and Analysis (Who Will Win)
Given their home advantage and recent form, France U23 enters this match as favorites. The attacking prowess of Olise, Mateta, and Lacazette could prove challenging for the American defense to contain.
However, the USA U23 squad, with its blend of MLS experience and European-based talent, should not be underestimated. The midfield battle between France’s Manu Kone and USA’s Gianluca Busio could be pivotal in determining the match’s outcome.
A competitive encounter is expected, with a predicted scoreline of 2-1 in favor of France. The hosts’ superior firepower is likely to make the difference in what should be a closely contested match.
France U23 vs United States U23 Lineups Prediction: France Under-23s 2-1 USA Under-23s
Tournament Outlook
As the opening fixture of Group A, both teams are currently level on zero points. Guinea and New Zealand complete the group, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stages.
A strong start is crucial for both France and the USA in their bid to progress from the group. The French team will be aiming for the top spot to potentially secure an easier path in the knockout rounds, while the Americans will be keen to avoid defeat and build momentum for their remaining group matches.
This match promises to be an exciting opener for the Olympic football tournament, showcasing some of the most promising young talents in world football. All eyes will be on Marseille as these two nations begin their quest for Olympic glory.
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