By The U.S. men’s soccer team’s dream of winning a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics ended with a decisive 4-0 defeat against Morocco in the quarterfinals on Friday at the Parc des Princes.
Morocco took the lead in the 28th minute when Soufiane Rahimi converted a penalty after Nathan Harriel fouled him in the box. The U.S. struggled to respond, failing to create momentum or level the score.
In the second half, Morocco extended their lead. Ilias Akhomach scored in the 62nd minute, doubling Morocco’s advantage after a brief VAR check. Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi added a third goal in the 69th minute with a stunning solo run from midfield, calmly finishing into the bottom right corner.
Morocco sealed their victory in stoppage time when substitute El Mehdi Maouhoub converted another penalty after Harriel handled the ball in the box.
The U.S. team, which had shown promise in the group stages, failed to maintain their earlier form of free-flowing attack and pace on the wings. Despite creating a few chances, they lacked the clinical finishing needed to get back into the game.
Key factors in the U.S. defeat included:
– Fouling in the box
– Failure to press effectively
– Lack of defensive organization
The pro-Moroccan crowd at Parc des Princes celebrated each goal with flares, creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the match.
This victory marks Morocco’s first-ever knockout game win in the Olympics. They will advance to the semifinals to face either Japan or Spain.
For the U.S., this loss ends their Olympic journey and their hopes of reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2000. The team will need to reflect on this performance as they look to the future of their soccer program.
