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The United States men’s national team’s 2024 Olympic run came to a disappointing end on Friday in the quarterfinals as Morocco dominated the USA 4-0.
A superior Moroccan side walked over a U.S. team that lacked ideas and composure on the day. The USMNT only really threatened Morocco’s goal once in the 59th minute when Miles Robinson had a great opportunity in the box but hit his shot horribly wide.
Morocco set the tone in the first half as they passed around the Americans with ease and dazzled their many supporters in the Parc des Princes with flicks, a rabona cross and supreme confidence.
USA errors were plentiful throughout the 90 minutes with the worst coming from fullback Nathan Harriel. The Philadelphia Union player made a senseless error in the first half when he casually poked a non-threatening Morocco ball out for a corner kick.
Then on the ensuing set piece he conceded a penalty kick that Morocco put away in the 29th minute.
MOROCCO STRIKE FIRST.
Soufiane Rahimi converts from the penalty spot after a foul was called on USA defender Nathan Harriel. #ParisOlympicsUSA Network and Peacock pic.twitter.com/vQmz9Ub6F0
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 2, 2024
Despite only trailing a goal at halftime, the mountain the U.S. needed to climb felt insurmountable. More mistakes reared their ugly head in the second half.
In the 63rd minute Morocco doubled their lead when a USA goal kick was quickly turned over, Harriel was burned on the near side and poor marking in the box led to a simple Morocco goal.
TWO-NIL to Morocco.
A simple finish for Ilias Akhomach after a well-worked move down the left wing. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/EsDX812evT— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 2, 2024
A hot Moroccan knife eased through American butter.
The USMNT became stretched as the game went on and in the 70th minute Achraf Hakimi scored one of the easier goals of his career.
The PSG star, playing in his club’s home stadium, picked up the ball near midfield and dribbled to the USA’s penalty box completely unchallenged and just passed it into Patrick Schulte’s net.
Achraf Hakimi scores in front of his home fans at the Parc Des Princes to make it 3-0. #ParisOlympics | USA Network and Peacock pic.twitter.com/GMbw6Yjo8d
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 2, 2024
Harriel was then punished one final time in the closing minutes with a handball in the box to concede his second penalty on the day.
¡Y CAYÓ UNO MÁS! ¡GOLEADA! ⚠️
El Mehdi Maouhoub cobra excelente el penal y hace el cuarto del partido#Marruecos 4-0 @USYNT
Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/qCJeQOdwPr
Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/a4dkbuMoa4#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/qLWE1QaNyC— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 2, 2024
The result marks a harsh end to what was the U.S. men’s best run in an Olympics since 2000 and their first time in the Games since Beijing 2008.
Some of the players that stuck out for the USMNT in these Olympics were Kevin Paredes, Tanner Tessman, Paxten Aaronson and overage center back Walker Zimmerman.
In four years, a new wave of young talent will get another chance to shine on the Olympic stage as the U.S. will host the Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028. Both the men and women will automatically qualify for the tournament as hosts.
Morocco will advance to play the winner of Spain vs. Japan in the semifinals.
