U.S. men get first Olympics win in 16 years at Paris 2024 | OneFootball

PARIS – Men’s soccer continued at the 2024 Summer Olympics on Saturday with the two Concacaf nations participating in the second matchday of the group stage.

The United States collected its first three points with a victory over New Zealand. It marked the program's first win at the Summer Olympics in over 16 years.

Earlier in the day, the Dominican Republic matched wits against reigning silver medal winners Spain. Soccer at Paris 2024 continues Sunday with the Canada and U.S. women representing the region.

Dominican Republic falls to Spain

The Dominican Republic men’s national team fell 3-1 to Spain in Group C on Saturday at the Bordeaux Stadium in Bordeaux, France.

Fermin Lopez opened the scoring in the 24’ with a strike inside the box.

Angel Montes de Oca struck the tying goal with a header in the 38’ to take advantage of a corner kick opportunity. Edison Azcona provided the assist to what was a historic first goal at the Summer Olympics for the Caribbean nation.

Edison Azcona received a red card in the 45’, leaving the Dominican Republic with ten men.

Alex Baena retook the lead for Spain in the 55’ with a shot outside the box that took a deflection off defender Joao Urbaez.

Miguel Gutierrez extended the lead for the Spaniards in the 70’ with a strike inside the goal area.

The next opponent for the Dominican Republic will be Uzbekistan on Tuesday at the Parc des Princes in Paris. The nation must win, a Spain victory, and better Egypt on goal difference to advance to the knockout stage.

USA get first victory in 16 years

The United States men’s national team earned a 4-1 win over New Zealand in Group A on Saturday at Marseille Stadium in Marseille, France.

Djordje Mihailovic struck from the penalty spot in the 8’ to place the U.S. in the lead.

Walker Zimmerman struck a contested ball in the goal area in the 12’ to extend the lead for the Americans.

Gianluca Busio added a third in the 30’ with a second chance inside the penalty area.

Paxten Aaronson opened his account in the 58’ with a left-footed strike in the box.

Jesse Randall struck the final goal of the game in the 78’ to cut the deficit for New Zealand.

The U.S. will conclude the group stage against Guinea on Tuesday at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in St-Etienne, France. A victory or draw could assure the nation a spot in the quarterfinals, depending on other results.

Canada meets hosts France

The Canadian women’s national team meets hosts France in Group A on Sunday at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in St-Etienne.

The reigning gold medal winners seek to build on a 2-1 victory against New Zealand. Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens scored in the comeback effort last Thursday.

Canada have lost only one of their last 14 matches at the Summer Olympics. The nation has won nine encounters in that stretch.

U.S. women face Germany for first place

The United States women’s national team will look to gain its second consecutive victory against Germany on Sunday at the Marseille Stadium in Marseille, France.

Emma Hayes’ squad earned its first three points of the 2024 games in a 3-nil victory over Zambia on Thursday. Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson, who scored twice, scored for the Stars and Stripes.

Team USA captain Lindsey Horan assisted in the first two U.S. goals. Sophia Smith provided the third assist of the evening.

Alyssa Naeher collected the clean sheet in her sixth start at the Olympics. It also marked an eight clean sheet in 12 Olympic matches for the U.S. defense.

First place in Group B and a ticket to the knockout stage is on the line when the two heavyweights meet. The U.S. is seeking to qualify for the quarterfinals for the eight consecutive occasion.