Reaching the knockout rounds at the Paris Olympics, the USMNT advanced to the quarter-finals with a convincing 3-0 over Guinea on Tuesday. Since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, it represents the first time they have advanced to the final eight of the tournament.
Curling a free-kick from the edge of the box, midfielder Đorđe Mihailovič opened the score in the 14th minute at practically empty Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Kevin Paredes added two goals either side of the interval to guarantee the US would break out from a 24-year wait into the knockout stages.
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Following a spectacular move down the right, the left-winger scored his first in the 31st minute by putting the ball past Soumaïla Sylla, the goalkeeper.
In the 75th minute, he tagged on a second rifling home a cross from fullback Jack McGlynn. Since Rick Davis in 1984, Paredes is the only US men’s player to score twice in an Olympic game.
The US improved greatly in their next two group games following their opening loss against France, the favorites. Thumping New Zealand 4-1, they ended with their most complete tournament effort in searing heat against Guinea.
Behind France, who defeated New Zealand 3-0 on Tuesday, the US came second in Group A. Morocco, who the US will meet Friday in Paris, comes next in the quarterfinals.
