GIRONA, Spain (March 22, 2024) - The U.S. Men’s Olympic Soccer Team took down Guinea 3-0 in its first match of the March international window as it continues preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Forward Griffin Yow set up the first two goals and sparked the third as defender Nathan Harriel, midfielder Gianluca Busio and forward Johan Gomez all tallied for the USA.
It was the first match for the U.S. since the draw was held for the 2024 Men’s Olympic Soccer Tournament on March 20. This Olympics will mark the first appearance for the U.S. Men’s U-23 National Team at the Games since 2008. The USA could face Guinea in its third group stage match at the Olympics should the National Elephants triumph in the upcoming intercontinental playoff against the fourth-place finisher from Asian qualifying.
Next up, the U.S. will visit Olympic opening game opponent France on Monday, March 25 at 3 p.m. ET in Montbeliard (U.S. Soccer Website and App).
Yow, earning his first National Team call-up since representing the United States at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup following a breakout campaign in Belgium with KVC Westerlo, enjoyed an eventful afternoon menacing the Guinean defense. He logged two assists and Gomez’ goal came off a rebound of his initial attempt plus he had a shot ricochet off the post.
The match was end-to-end from the opening whistle against a spirited Guinea side. The National Elephants threatened first on a series of corner kicks in the seventh minute that saw the Africans hit a glancing header that went just wide of the net.
An answer came quickly from the Americans as Harriel netted his first goal of the Olympic cycle just two minutes later. Busio sent a lovely long ball from the right side all the way to Yow on the left wing, where he boomed a cross in for the Philadelphia Union outside back. There, Harriel leapt to finish a perfectly placed header, putting the U.S. up early.
The USA had the better of possession on the afternoon and had success with its press, giving Guinea trouble holding onto the ball. Several lovely line-breaking passes did well to set the U.S. attackers free on the run, especially wingers Yow and Esmir Bajraktarevic.
Guinea also attempted to press aggressively, which generated a number of good looks for the Africans throughout the game. In the 35th, it stole the ball as the U.S. tried to build up deep in its own territory and ripped a shot from the top of the box that went just high.
In a frenetic last few minutes of the first half, Yow continued to threaten the Guinean defense as he ripped a shot from the top of the box that ricocheted off the post. Guinea responded with a dangerous spell of possession and corner kick that were both handled by goalkeeper Chris Brady and the U.S. responded strongly again, closing the opening 45 with a goal. Pressuring the Guinea defense, Yow won the ball and tapped it to Busio, who charged forward and doubled the American advantage with a shot past goalkeeper Sandali Condé.
The U.S. picked up where it left off in the second half. Building out of the back, Wiley played up to Yow on the left wing, where he dribbled past three Guinean defenders before curling a shot to the near post. Condé made the save, but Gomez was there for the rebound and tapped it in to make it 3-0. The USA threatened again minutes later on a series of restarts, as midfielder Jack McGlynn took a hit from distance that went just over the bar.
Guinea continued to push for a goal in the second half, playing with some bite, but the U.S. and Brady weathered their efforts. Head coach Marko Mitrović made 10 substitutions as all 20 field players on the roster saw minutes.
USA – Nathan Harriel (Griffin Yow), 9th minute: Playing out of the back, Busio received the ball well behind the half line on the right side and sent a booming ball up and across the field to Yow on the left wing. The winger took a few touches before launching a cross into the box for Harriel darting from left to right across the six-yard box, leaping to head the ball inside the far post. USA 1, GUI 0
USA – Gianluca Busio (Griffin Yow), 45+1st minute: After Guinea controlled a U.S. long ball in its own territory, Yow pressed to win it back immediately and dispossessed the African defender. He touched the ball a few yards inside to Busio and the pair raced past two Guineans towards goal. As the goalkeeper came out to make a stop, the Venezia midfielder sent a hard-rolling shot into the right side of the net for the game’s second goal. USA 2, GUI 0
USA – Johan Gomez, 51st minute: Again patiently building from the back, Caleb Wiley received the ball on the left wing before playing up to a streaking Yow. The winger beat his man to the ball and made a move, causing the defender to lose his feet, before driving past two more defenders towards goal. He ripped a shot to the near post from just inside the 18-yard-box, but Guinea goalkeeper Sandali Condé made the stop. Gomez was waiting a few yards away and pounced to tap home the rebound from short range. USA 3, GUI 0
Match: United States Men’s Olympic Soccer Team vs. Guinea
Date: March 22, 2024
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Torremirona Sports Center; Navata, Girona, Spain
Attendance: 60
Kickoff: 11 a.m. ET. (4 p.m. local)
Weather: 72 degrees, clear
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 2 1 3
GUI 0 0 0
USA – Nathan Harriel (Griffin Yow) 9th minute
USA – Gianluca Busio (Griffin Yow) 45+1st minute
USA – Johan Gomez 51st minute
Lineups:
USA: 12-Chris Brady; 2-Nathan Harriel (3-John Tolkin, 75), 20-George Campbell (5-Bryan Reynolds, 75), 18-Maximilian Dietz (4-Jonathan Tomkinson, 75), 22-Caleb Wiley (7-Kevin Paredes, 63); 8-Tanner Tessmann (19-Daniel Edelman, 63), 6-Gianluca Busio (16-Aidan Morris, 63), 14-Jack McGlynn (15-Diego Luna, 63); 7-Esmir Bajraktarevic (10-Paxten Aaronson, 46), 17-Johan Gomez (13-Duncan McGuire, 75), 11-Griffin Yow (9-Cade Cowell, 63)
Substitutes not used: 1-Patrick Schulte
Head coach: Marko Mitrović
GUI: 1-Sandali Condé; 2-Camara Samhkou, 3-Camara Mohamed Chérif, 4-Soumah Mohamed, 6-Camara Fodé, 8-Camara Ahmadou, 9-Bah Elhadj, 11-Camara Ousmane, 12-Bah Algassime, 18-Bangoura Sékou Tidiany, 21-Keita Haladj Madiou
Substitutes: 5-Cissé Bangaly, 7-Condé Ousmane, 10-Keita Amadou, 13-Camara Issiaga, 14-Diallo Mamadou Selu, 15-Traoré Sory, 16-Keita Mory, 17-Youla Mohamed, 19-Bangoura Djibril, 20-Diallo Amadou Kalabane
Head coach: Charles Paquille
Misconduct Summary:
GUI – (Caution) 20
GUI – Camara Ahmadou (Caution) 45
USA – Tanner Tessmann (Caution) 58
GUI – (Caution) 58
Officials:
Referee: Jan Cobos Pujol (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Adria Ballesteros Jurado (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Antonio Trejo Gonzales (ESP)
Fourth Official: Marti Davesa Perez (ESP)