U.S vs Morocco: For the first time since 2000, the U.S. Men’s Soccer team played in a quarterfinal match at the Summer Olympic Games.
After two consecutive wins against New Zealand and Guinea in the group stage, the Americans came up against Morocco in the quarterfinal. Morocco, ranked 14th in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, cruised to a 4-0 victory over the U.S. to earn a place in its first-ever Olympic semifinal. Before this year, Morocco had only won one match in 13 previous matches at the Summer Olympic Games.
The U.S., which consisted mostly of U-23 players, certainly impressed as they made their way into the quarterfinal for the first time in 24 years. A disappointing way to exit, but the young players will hold their heads high and use this as a stepping stone for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Here is the breakdown of Friday’s quarterfinal match:
U.S. vs. Morocco
Both Philadelphia Union players Jack McGlynn and Nathan Harriel saw themselves in the starting XI together for the first time this tournament.
The Americans were given an early corner in the 2′, but Moroccan goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi was able to punch the ball out easily. In the 9′, the Americans came close to putting themselves in the lead from another corner, but the offside flag went up, ending any potential scoring chance.
Morocco came close to taking the lead in the 13′. Patrick Schulte made a massive save, flying through the air to stop an attempt from Oussama El Azzoui. The Columbus Crew keeper has come up huge multiple times during the tournament, and he prevented an early lead for Morocco with a diving save.
McGlynn was given a yellow card in the 16′. Ilias Akhomach beat McGlynn on a one-two play, and the Union midfielder was booked. Morocco was given a free kick, but Schulte made an easy save.
Morocco converted on a penalty in the 27′ to go up 1-0. While jumping for a loose ball, Harriel made contact with the leg of Soufiane Rahimi, and Morocco was given a penalty. From the spot, Rahimi beat Schulte who dove the correct way but couldn’t get his hand on the ball.
Heading into half-time, the U.S. looked like a shell of themselves. Despite a few early scoring chances, the Americans were not pressing Morocco enough, the midfield was getting burned, and the forwards couldn’t create any chances. At the start of the second half, manager Marko Mitrovic didn’t make any early substitutions.
In the 59′, Miles Robinson nearly found an equalizer but his shot went wide. The Americans looked more in tune at the start of the second half and Robinson’s attempt was the time to gain momentum.
Morocco doubled its lead in the 63′. Akhomach got behind the American defenders in the box and tapped in a goal from an Abde Ezzalzouli pass. Ezzalzouli got behind Harriel, found space to cut inside, and found Akhomach sprinting towards the goal.
After the goal, the U.S. would make a pair of substitutions. Duncan McGuire and Taylor Booth would enter the match for Djordje Mihailovic and Griffin Yow.
Seven minutes later, Morocco went up 3-0. Achraf Hakimi beat Kevin Paredes in the air, made a run toward the goal, and fired off a shot with his left foot to beat Schulte. Again, Schulte anticipated the direction of the shot but couldn’t get to the ball in time.
Paxten Aaronson was given a yellow card in the 75′ for a foul on Oussama Targhalline. A foul caused by frustration, there was no need to debate Aaronson’s clear booking.
Morocco converted on another penalty in the 88′ to put the nail in the coffin. VAR showed that Harriel committed a handball when blocking a shot from Akhomach, and El Mehdi Maouboub converted from the spot, 4-0.
After reaching the World Cup semifinal for the first time in 2022, Morocco has now reached its first-ever Olympics semifinal. Moroccan football has been on the rise since the World Cup and a birth in the Olympic semi-final is another example of Morocco’s underrated talent.
Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports
