New Zealand 1 USA 4 takeaways: Dead balls help clinical USA secure record win

The U.S. national team gave its rivals a boost in their fight to advance to the knockout stage of the men’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games, beating New Zealand and scoring four goals in a single match for the first time in the tournament.

Marko Mitrovic’s charges, who lost 3-0 in their opening Group A match against the tournament hosts, France, returned in record style and crushed New Zealand in Marseille, thus ensuring themselves a good chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.

Djordje Mihailovic and Walker Zimmerman put the U.S. ahead 2-0 inside 12 minutes before Gianluca Busio and Paxten Aaronson stepped up. The U.S. team scored four goals in an Olympic match for the first time, with Jesse Randall scoring once for New Zealand.

Jeff Rueter discusses the key points surrounding the USA’s first tournament victory.

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How dead balls fueled a fast start

We often talk about the state of play, but the group stage can trigger similar dynamics based on previous results. For the United States, a measured approach against France produced promising sequences, but a sharp finish gave the tournament hosts an emphatic 3-0 victory.

New Zealand entered the game full of confidence, having beaten Guinea 2-1 in their opening game. The Kiwis knew a result against the United States would see them progress from Group B and that perhaps led to some ill-advised enthusiasm in the opening 15 minutes.

Nathan Harriel gave the US an early chance to open the scoring, forcing a penalty after being fouled with a hanging leg. Mihailovic stepped up and calmly converted the ball, sending the keeper the wrong way.

Four minutes later, the USA were awarded a free kick on the right wing near the penalty area. New Zealand’s attempts to clear the ball were far from convincing, and it bounced off the face of goalkeeper Kees Sims and into the penalty area. Walker Zimmerman twisted his leg around the New Zealand defender and slotted the ball into the net, giving his team a 2-0 lead inside 12 minutes.

USA looked timid heading into the final third against France, but here an unchanged line-up increased the intensity of the attack. The players were more willing to face New Zealand, and their boldness paid off.

It required the players to take a few blows, but a pair of dead-ball situations swung the pendulum in the United States’ favour. Suddenly confident New Zealand were visibly shaken after entering with such high hopes.

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The US is counting the cost of the Busio blow

If the United States didn’t have two major tournaments to field this summer, there’s a chance Gianluca Busio could be called up for the Copa America.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season for Venezia, helping the Italian side return to Serie A with seven goals and four assists in 2,936 minutes.

A deeper distributor for his club, Busio’s role for the U23s is a little more proactive, with Busio encouraged to work the ball into the final third of the pitch, giving his team an additional scoring option with his late runs into the box.

He saw a chance in the 30th minute but his shot was blocked by New Zealand defender Michael Boxall, the ball fortunately bounced back to Busio, who toe-tapped a couple of Kiwis to find the net and extend his advantage.

Unfortunately, the former Sporting Kansas City graduate didn’t get to bask in the glory of his goal for long. Busio attempted to sprint down the wing after a through ball but limped off, clutching his right hamstring. This injury is all the more concerning considering he left Venezia’s promotion game on June 2 in the 59th minute with a strain in the same muscle.

At this stage, Busio is one of Mitrovic’s most important charges. Although Jack McGlynn has been recalled from the bench, fellow midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi could offer a more comparable alternative if Busio is unable to feature in the final group game against Guinea.

If such a change proves necessary, the United States will find itself at a disadvantage against an adversary whose greatest strength is aid.

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Goals, goals and more goals boost hopes of qualifying for the US

In the 70th minute it seemed as if New Zealand were desperately waiting for the final whistle.

The fourth goal (this time scored by Paxten Aaronson) was the final blow, putting the Kiwis in a disadvantage that even they didn’t think they could overcome. Shoulders were down, hands on hips, and midfielders and defensive lines were moving at a leisurely pace to keep up with the United States’ advance.

Aaronson’s goal made history for the program. It was the first time the United States had scored four goals in any men’s Olympic match, both in the modern under-23 format and in previous unrestricted editions. As one might expect, given such a record, it also set a new record for the largest men’s Olympic victory in any tournament—even with the Kiwis’ 78th-minute consolation.

On a more direct note, the 4-1 victory also erased a three-goal defeat to France on goal difference, a crucial tie-break goal to secure a positive result on Tuesday against Guinea that would all but secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Still, New Zealand’s late goal will bruise the defence’s collective ego after failing to keep a clean sheet. It leaves a glimmer of hope for the Kiwis if they can pull off a surprise against France in their final match, and puts a little more pressure on the US to keep things going against Guinea.

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What’s next for the United States?

The United States will play its final Group A match against Guinea on Tuesday in Saint-Etienne.

Two teams from Group A will advance to the quarter-finals, which will be played on August 2.

(Top photo: Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images)