Even soccer purists have trouble “getting” some tournament structures. There’s a reason that such thorough explanations are necessary prior to a group stage draw: there’s a lot to “get” to get into the game! It's been 16 years since a men's team has represented the United States in soccer at the Summer Olympics. Governed by FIFA and run under the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic men’s soccer tournament uses a different structure than many other world and regional competitions in the sport. At the Olympics, an Under-23 squad will represent the U.S. on the men's side rather than a full Senior National Team. The caveats don't stop there. Of the 18 players selected for the final roster, three can be over 23, making the roster selection even more atypical. So, here’s a look at why and how this age group structuring came to be.
It was the Barcelona Games of 1992 that brought a wealth of changes to Olympic soccer. Barça ‘92 was the last Olympic tournament without women’s soccer squads, the new “back pass” rule was introduced and enforced internationally, and the now standard U23 age limit for male squads debuted.
But why? For many sports, the four-year wait for the Olympics is one of few opportunities for international competition. Soccer is spoiled with many tournaments, not just within each federation, but with the FIFA World Cup every four years. Once the men’s competition was no longer limited to amateur players in Los Angeles 1984, suddenly global soccer’s two biggest tournaments would become eerily similar. Since the Barça 1992 Games, instead of having two tournaments drawing from the same players, soccer’s governing body implemented the under-23 age requirement to feature the next generation of talent and allow them to compete for Olympic medals.
To compete in Paris 2024, players must be born no earlier than Jan. 1, 2001, with three overaged player exceptions, a rule amendment added for the 1996 Atlanta Games. And for the first time in the run-up to Paris, U.S. Men’s Olympic Team head coach Marko Mitrović has called up an overage player in defender Walker Zimmerman. The center back brings loads of experience with 41 senior caps and a World Cup inclusion under his belt.
Since ’96, the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team has used eight of its nine eligible overage players. Let’s take look back at the senior players included in past U.S. Olympic runs:
Goalkeeper Kasey Keller – Atlanta 1996
The three-time U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year captained the 1996 OlyMNT, starting all three matches. Keller is the second-winningest and second-most capped USMNT goalkeeper of all-time and remains the team’s leader in shutouts with 47.
Defender Alexi Lalas – Atlanta 1996
Lalas joined Keller as an overage player and played every minute of the ’96 Olympics. The first American to play in Serie A, Lalas earned 96 caps for the USMNT, and his distinctive beard mark him as one of the most recognizable figures in American soccer history.
Goalkeeper Brad Friedel - Sydney 2000
Starting all six matches down under, Friedel’s leadership led the U.S. to its semifinal appearance in Sydney 2000. With a club career lasting from 1995-2015, he is the current record-holder for most consecutive appearances in the Premier League with 310.
Defender Jeff Agoos - Sydney 2000
Playing every minute in Sydney, “Goose” helped the team reach its Olympic-best fourth-place finish. The Hall of Famer played at every level of American soccer, finishing his international career in 2003 with 134 caps after helping the U.S. reach the quarterfinals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Defender Frankie Hejduk - Sydney 2000
The third overage member of the Sydney squad, Hejduk started all six games and helped lead the team to its best finish to date. With 85 caps and appearances at two World Cups, Hejduk goes down in U.S. Soccer history as one of the game’s most energetic players.
Forward Brian McBride – Beijing 2008
The USMNT’s fifth all-time leading scorer captained the OlyMNT at the Beijing Games. Named to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014, McBride is one of 10 USMNT players selected for three World Cups.
Defender Michael Parkhurst – Beijing 2008
Playing two of the three U.S. matches in Beijing, Parkhurst led the team as the reigning Defender of the Year in Major League Soccer. His work rate in 2012 and 2013 were integral through the USMNT’s 2014 World Cup qualification process.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan – Beijing 2008
At just over 23 years old, Guzan was the youngest overage player to represent the U.S. at the Olympics. The goalkeeper started all three matches in the U.S. Men’s most recent Olympic appearance. Still an active player starting for Atlanta United, Guzan is the fourth-winningest ‘keeper in USMNT history.
