PARIS Playing in an openly hostile environment, facing an opponent both faster and stronger, the United States mens national team couldnt run with Morocco, giving up one first-half goal and two more in quick succession in the second half to fall, 4-0. The loss ends the United States Olympic hopes.
While theres reason for optimism at performing up to expected levels, Morocco demonstrated exactly how far the USMNT has to go to be competitive on an Olympic stage.
Morocco brought an overwhelming fan advantage to Parc des Princes, boos and whistles accompanying every United States touch. Flares launched from the stands before the match even began, and Moroccos supporters kept up a steady, and literal, drumbeat throughout that the American fans simply couldnt match.
On the field, the result was much the same. The United States appeared to have the matchs first good scoring opportunity, as Miles Robinson set up Paxten Aaronson from the left side of the penalty box. Aaronsons shot went wide left, but any celebration would have been short-lived; he was deemed offside.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi who plays for Paris St. Germain in Parc des Princes orchestrated attacks early in the first half, most notably a five-touch beauty that started with a corner kick and ended with a shot on goal that floated just over the crossbar and out of keeper Patrick Schultes reach.
Passions ran high throughout the match; midway through the first half, both countries coaches engaged in a shouting match on the sidelines that required officials intervention, and referees warned both coaches. The action on the pitch remained mostly composed, and also mostly on the United States end of the field. Morocco set up for chance after chance throughout the first half, and finally, the United States luck ran out.
After a suspect penalty, Morocco broke through on the ensuing penalty kick shortly afterward. Soufiane Rahimi punched the ball low and just out of Schultes reach for the first goal of the match, and Rahimis fifth of these Olympics. The players exulted on the pitch as at least four different smoke bombs and flares covered the Parc stands in red, green and white smoke.
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محمد الشعيلان (@Abo3ziz009) August 2, 2024
The first half ended with the United States growing increasingly frustrated with Moroccos style of play – and, likely, with the Americans own inability to mount much of an attack against it. The USAs John Tolkin, who plays for MLSs New York Red Bulls, in particular was demonstrative about the Moroccan attack, but rage was all he could offer.
Two numbers told the story of the first half: 8 and 1, as in the number of shots on goal by Morocco and the United States, respectively. Or, perhaps, 4 and 0 as in the number of those shots that were on target. Morocco held a nearly 2-1 advantage over the United States in time of possession in the first half, and the U.S. was fortunate to be down only 1-0.
The beginning of the second half proved more favorable for the USMNT, but only because the first was so overwhelming. Fourteen minutes into the half, both Kevin Paredes and Miles Robinson missed opportunities to score, but the brief burst of hope was enough to inspire the afternoons very first U-S-A chants. The Moroccan fans quickly whistled it down, but it was there.
Unfortunately for the United States, that little bit of energy seemed to fire up the Moroccan side, and Ilias Akhomach scored in the 63rd minute off a brilliant pass from Abde Ezzalzouli. A VAR check of a possible handball before the goal didnt find sufficient evidence to overturn, and the Morocco fans danced in wreaths of smoke.
The story was pretty much over at that point, but Hakimi made sure to remind everyone that they were playing in his (adoptive) house. He rolled a third goal past Schulte seven minutes later. Another penalty kick off a handball in the 90+1 minute made it 4-0.
The United States exits the tournament having performed about as well as expected, getting out of a group stage they should have exited, and losing to a better team in the knockout round.