Walker Zimmerman headlines the U.S. men’s soccer Olympic roster. (Photo by Andrea Vilchez/ISI … [+]
The United States men’s soccer team announced its roster for the Paris Olympics on Monday, as coach Marko Mitrovic included some rising stars and overage players such as Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson in his 18-member squad.
The U.S. will play at the Olympics for the first time since 2008 when they travel to Paris for the 2024 Games, which begins later this month.
Unlike the women’s event, the men’s Olympic soccer tournament is restricted to players under the age of 23, with an allowance for three overage players.
Nashville defender Zimmerman, FC Cincinnati defender Robinson and Colorado Rapids midfielder Djordje Mihailovic – all three overage players – headline Mitrovic’s Olympic roster.
Robinson is the only U.S. player who played at Copa America 2024 and will participate in the Paris Olympics. He was part of the U.S. side which was knocked out in the group stage at Copa America.
The Olympic roster features players from 15 clubs, including nine from Major League Soccer. It includes Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann, who recently helped Italian club Venezia earn promotion to Serie A, the Italian top flight.
Out of the 18, 15 players have been capped by the full U.S. men’s national team, led by overage defender Zimmerman with 42 senior international appearances. Zimmerman was part of the U.S. men’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have this group of great players and great people represent us at the Olympic Games,” said head coach Mitrovic. “It’s a special moment for all of us as they have worked their entire lives to reach this stage.
“Almost every player developed through our American soccer pathway, rising to become professionals and now they will live their dreams of competing at the Olympics. We’re grateful to the clubs that released their players in support of our mission.
“Our goal is to make our country proud and we will give everything for the United States.”
The Olympic men’s soccer tournament is scheduled for July 24 to August 9 in seven cities and stadiums across France. Team USA will start its campaign in Group A on July 24, two days before the Paris 2024 opening ceremony.
Their first match will be against France followed by a game against New Zealand on July 27 and against Guinea on July 30.
The U.S. will prepare for the Paris Games at FC Girondins de Bordeaux in Bordeaux from July 9-20 before moving to Marseille ahead of its opening match vs. France.
The U.S. men’s best finish at the Olympics was at the 2000 Games in Sydney when a team featuring Landon Donovan, Brad Friedel and Josh Wolff guided the USA to fourth place.
Goalkeepers (2): Patrick Schulte, Gaga Slonina
Defenders (6): Maximilian Dietz, Nathan Harriel, Miles Robinson, John Tolkin, Caleb Wiley, Walker Zimmerman
Midfielders (5): Gianluca Busio, Benjamin Cremaschi, Jack McGlynn, Djordje Mihailovic, Tanner Tessmann
Forwards (5): Paxten Aaronson, Taylor Booth, Duncan McGuire, Kevin Paredes, Griffin Yow
Alternates (4): Josh Atencio, Jacob Davis, Johan Gomez, John Pulskamp
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