The most intriguing storylines for men's soccer at the Olympics

After an electric summer of men's soccer with the Copa America and European Championship, the Olympic men's tournament could provide fans with glimpses of future potential.

The men's Olympic soccer tournament is different from the women's in that the majority of players must be under 23. Teams are allowed three overage players, but they're rarely the names known by the masses.

The 16-team tournament is for young stars to make their mark, but club teams are not required to release their talent for the Paris Olympics. The action begins Wednesday, two days before the opening ceremonies.

Here are the leading storylines heading into the men's tournament.

Team USA should be defensively solid

After a disappointing exit in the Copa America group stages, U.S. Soccer is hoping to end the summer positively by taking home an Olympic gold medal.

U.S. Olympic head coach Marko Mitrovic prioritized the defense by selecting two center backs as overage players.

Major League Soccer veterans Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson have a combined 71 appearances for the full U.S. men's national team. Their experience and reliability could allow more freedom for young, creative players like Paxten Aaronson and Gianluca Busio.

One of the most exciting young goalkeepers in the world, Gaga Slonina, has a great chance to be the man between the sticks.

The 20-year-old signed with English Premier League side Chelsea in 2022. Still yet to make his official debut for the London club, Slonina's international form remains impressive, posting four shutouts in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup .

A solid defense will allow the United States to stay competitive in every match, which is important for a side that has not medaled at the Olympics since 1904 .

Argentina going for a summer double

Winner of the 2024 Copa America, Argentina looks to add one more trophy before the summer's end.

U-23 head coach Javier Mascherano elicits the championship experience from 2022 FIFA World Cup winners Julian Alvarez, Geronimo Rulli and Nicolas Otamendi as overage players.

All three participated in this summer's Copa America. Alvarez , scoring twice in the tournament, is coming off a season for Manchester City in which he scored 11 goals with nine assists.

Goalkeeper Rulli did not play in the Copa America. He's coming off a season with Dutch side Ajax in which he lost his starting spot due to injury. When in form, he's one of the more intriguing goalkeeping prospects in the world.

Otamendi, 36, has 117 caps for the full national team. The Olympics are likely the Argentinian legend 's last tournament competition for his country.

He'll be asked to lead a U-23 side with young phenoms like Thiago Almada. MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2022 and Young Player of the Year in 2023, Almada will be one of the most dynamic playmaking talents at the tournament.

Mascherano, a two-time gold medalist as a player, looks to become the first to win the Olympics as a player and coach.

In Henry the French trust

Arsenal and French legend Thierry Henry takes charge of Team France for this Olympics.

The host nation hoped to call upon overage player and superstar Kylian Mbappe , but his club Real Madrid refused to release him.

Nonetheless, Les Bleus have attacking talent in former Crystal Palace teammates Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta. The duo combined for 26 goals in the English Premier League last season.

Alexandre Lacazette, 33, will captain a side favored to win gold, much due to the impressive young players like Desore Doue, Manu Kone and Ryan Cherki.

The French look to become the fifth-ever host nation to win a gold medal in the Olympic men's soccer tournament.