4 things we learned from USMNT at the Paris 2024 Olympics | OneFootball

The USMNT might have left France without a medal in men's soccer, but the Stars and Stripes gave the world four major takeaways after the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The senior U.S. Men's National Team has had a tumultuous summer. First, they crashed out of Copa America 2024 in the group stage, then head coach, Gregg Berhalter, was fired, and now, two months later, they still do not have a new manager.

Amid the turmoil, the Stars and Stripes' U-23 team traveled to France to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Marko Mitrovic's squad, full of young, promising players, finished second in Group A and punched their ticket to the quarter-finals, where they lost to Morocco. Still, in just four games this summer, the USMNT gave fans plenty to be excited about ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Here's a breakdown of four things we learned from the USMNT at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

4 things we learned from USMNT at the Paris 2024 Olympics

1. The future of the USMNT is bright

France v United States: Men's Football - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day -2 / Brad Smith/ISI/GettyImages

The USMNT U-23 squad might have crashed out of the Paris 2024 Olympics in the quarter-finals, but they still managed to secure the Stars and Stripes' second-best finish ever at an Olympics. In fact, the USA had not even qualified for the tournament since 2008, so their (short-lived) knockout berth was actually a success.

Although the USMNT could not hang with France or Morocco, two teams that would go on to win the silver and bronze medals respectively, they still delivered emphatic wins against teams they were supposed to beat, something not even the senior squad could do at Copa America 2024.

2. Kevin Paredes deserves call-ups to the senior team

United States v Guinea: Men's Football - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 4 / Tullio M. Puglia/GettyImages

Kevin Paredes was one of the standouts for the USMNT at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The 21-year-old was often the best player on the pitch for the Stars and Stripes, and notched two goals and one assist in four games. The winger has just three caps for the senior team, but his play this summer surely earned him more in the future.

The USMNT showed a lack of vision and finishing in the final third at Copa America 2024, and Paredes' addition to the squad could provide a much-needed spark off the bench as the USA prepares to host the 2026 World Cup.

3. Walker Zimmerman's time has passed

Morocco v United States: Men's Football Quarterfinal - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 7 / John Todd/ISI/GettyImages

Even as one of the three average players selected for the U-23 squad at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Walker Zimmerman failed to impress. While other nations had young, exciting talent at the back, like Spain's Pau Cubarsi, the USA had a 31-year-old that saw his side concede eight goals in four games, including four to Morocco in the quarter-finals.

The defender was not included in the USA's Copa America 2024 squad, and after his performances in France this summer, he will likely never find his spot back in the starting XI for the Stars and Stripes.

4. The USMNT's midfield needs fresh faces

Morocco v United States: Men's Football Quarterfinal - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 7 / John Todd/ISI/GettyImages

While the USMNT's midfield at Copa America 2024 was a major disappointment, the U-23 midfield at the Paris 2024 Olympics shined. Players like Djordje Mihailovic, Tanner Tessmann, and Gianluca Busio scored goals, created chances, and maintained possession, giving the next USMNT's manager plenty of decisions to make when naming his next squad.

If Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, and Yunus Musah continue to struggle, either as a unit or as individuals, there are now plenty of fresh faces that can earn playing time in the upcoming months.