GOAL examines the tactics needed for the U.S. to beat Guinea and advance to the knockout stage of the 2024 Olympic Games
After a disappointing opening performance at the 2024 Olympic Games, a 3-0 battering at the hands of Thierry Henry's France, the USMNT rebounded brilliantly with a 4-1 thrashing of New Zealand in their second group stage game.
As a result, they have now set themselves up to advance to the knockouts with a victory against Guinea Tuesday afternoon – and while there are multiple scenarios in which a draw would suffice, it's academic if they win. It's a very simple formula for the U.S. squad:
The top two of each group advance to the knockout stages so the victory over New Zealand put the U.S. – should they beat Guinea – in position of making the knockouts, where they'd face a team in Group B which contains Iraq, Argentina, Morocco, and Ukraine.
Reflecting on the surprisingly high-scoring effort against New Zealand, USMNT's Walker Zimmerman said, "We had to get off to a good start, a fast start, because every goal matters here. It's kind of do or die time, and we knew it would come down to the start that we had. … Being up at the half 3-0 was probably inspiration from the women's team. We saw they could do it, we wanted to join in on the fun."
From Paxten Aaronson and Griffin Yow in the attack to Gianluca Busio in the midfield, GOAL takes a look at five things the USMNT can do to ensure they advance out of the group stage, and make this first Olympics appearance since 2008 something special.
Getty ImagesHand Paxen Aaronson the keys
He's been the brightest attacker for the USMNT so far this tournament, expressing versatility across the attack. From the left wing to the midfield and even into the center of the pitch, Paxten Aaronson has excelled.
Logging 76 minutes against France, he created multiple first-half chances in the U.S. attack, but ultimately, the squad as a whole were simply outclassed. Against New Zealand, though, he broke out.
Named Man of the Match, Aaronson bagged the fourth and final U.S. goal in a must-win match.
He completed 91% of his 34 passes, creating three big chances while winning the most tackles of any U.S. player during the contest.
If coach Marko Mitrovic can integrate him even more into their attack against Guinea, there's no telling how dominant it could be.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesRest Gianluca Busio, even if he's fit
Against New Zealand, goalscorer Gianluca Busio had a brilliant first 35 minutes.
However, he exited the contest in the 36th with a non-contact injury. Revealed to be a hamstring tweak, he doesn't deem it to be "too serious," but the USMNT should still err on the side of caution.
"It's all right. We'll see. It's just the same one I've been dealing with for a while. But I don't think it's anything too serious," he said to reporters on Sunday.
Busio had been a crucial part of this XI since they began their preparations for the tournament in late 2023. However, this Guinea team is one the USMNT should be fully capable of securing a result against – just as they did in March in an international friendly.
The ideal replacement is Jack McGlynn – who slotted in for him against New Zealand – or, the U.S. could change the midfield shape to see Tanner Tessman as a lone defensive midfielder with two attacking-minded midfielders above him.
Getty ImagesCommit to McGuire – or reshape attack
It has to be difficult to be the lone striker on a roster, tossed with the expectation of filling that role. Duncan McGuire hasn't found anything easy so far this tournament. However, that doesn't mean the USMNT should give up on him.
Guinea is an opponent that the U.S. can exploit to get their striker back on track. Through two matches, he has yet to have a shot on target or a big chance created; he's been on an island in the U.S. attack, with little to no help.
Djordje Mihailovic has failed to connect with him in the middle of the pitch, and both Aaronson and Kevin Paredes have struggled to feed him service in the box. Of course, there's more the Orlando City striker could be doing, but his teammates have not exactly supported him.
And now is not the time to change course. If the U.S. choose to give up on McGuire, it may ultimately erode his confidence for the rest of tournament, which could be damming come the knockouts.
That said, it's no surprise to many that McGuire has struggled this tournament. He had a whirlwind of an offseason. In January, he had an expected European transfer to Blackburn fall through due to a paperwork issue, which was then followed by an underwhelming start to the MLS campaign.
However, if the U.S. do opt to switch from the Orlando City striker, there are options…
There are only two ways to look at the scenario: continue to have faith in him, or reshape things.
Anyone who watched the match against New Zealand would have immediately noticed how influential Griffin Yow was upon his introduction in the second half. He was brilliant in the March camp against France and Guinea, and is coming off a career years in Belgium, too.
If the U.S. were to drop McGuire, they'd move Aaronson to the center-forward position, slotting in Yow on the wing to create a more dynamic attack relying on passing and possession than a system striker in McGuire.
Getty ImagesDo not risk yellow cards
We're looking at you here, Tanner Tessman.
This is a match in which the U.S. cannot afford any silly or sloppy mistakes leading to yellow cards. Just two cards in two different matches will result in a supsension until a reset in the semifinal match.
The U.S. captain and Venezia midfielder picked up a needless yellow against New Zealand, and is now at the risk of suspension if he is booked against Guinea or in the knockouts. In addition to Tessman, U.S. winger Kevin Paredes is also on a yellow after picking one up in the first half against France.
If they play their game and avoid needless fouls, they'll be fine, but the USMNT cannot afford to slip up in their final match of the group stage.