France defeats US men's soccer team at Paris Olympics openerExBulletin

Frenchman Kiliann Sildillia (left) is challenged by American Paxten Aaronson in the opening match of the group stage of the 2024 Summer Olympics, which will take place on Wednesday in Marseille, France.

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PARIS It was a story of two halves.

The American men's soccer team returned to the Olympics after a 16-year absence and opened with a 3-0 defeat to hosts France in the group stage in Marseille.

France had possession in the first half and outscored the Americans 8-3. But the US looked calm, cool and collected, beating a physical French team that was called for seven fouls. The score was 0-0 at halftime.

In Olympic men’s soccer, roster restrictions require that nearly all players be under 23. Most of the U.S. roster, coached by Marko Mitrovic, previously played for Major League Soccer or an MLS academy club. Walker Zimmerman, 31, is one of three players who are overage. He started three times and appeared in all four U.S. games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Both the US and France started the second half the same way they ended the first, trading energetic passes and attacking deep in their own halves. The predominantly French crowd cheered and shouted will for their team that finished 13th at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The US missed a golden opportunity to get on the scoreboard first. In the 59th minute, Djordje Mihailovic fired a lightning-fast right-wing ball that hit the crossbar.

The American excitement did not last long.

Two minutes later, French captain Alexandre Lacazette fired from outside the penalty area from a distance. The shot flew past the outstretched arms of diving American goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. The score was 1-0 and the crowd came to life.

Lacazette continued his brilliant play in the 69th minute with an assist, shooting past the American defence and passing to Michael Olise who doubled the French lead to 2-0.

France scored another goal thanks to a beautiful header from Loc Bad after a corner kick in the 85th minute.

That was all the host nation needed to open Group A play with an easy 3-0 win over the USA

The US now takes on New Zealand on Saturday in Marseille, France.

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