The United States men's soccer team does not have a strong history of strong finishes at the Olympics, but they have a chance to reverse those recent struggles as they meet Guinea in their final group game with a chance to advance.
Sitting second in the Group A table with three points from their first two matches, the U.S. have the upper hand for a quarterfinal spot, but they must finish the job against Guinea, who have suffered defeat in their first two games.
The U.S. men have not advanced to the Olympic knockouts since the 2000 games in Sydney, eliminated from the group stage in 2008, their only appearance since then.
A win against Guinea would almost certainly see them advance through to the quarterfinal, while a draw or loss leaves them vulnerable. The Sporting News runs through all the scenarios as Marko Mitrovic prepares his side for a massive 90 minutes.
MORE: A full list of fixtures, results, and standings for men's and women's soccer at the 2024 Olympics
Group A standings for men's soccer at 2024 Olympics
| Pos. | Nation | Pts | GP | W-D-L | GD |
| 1. | France | 6 | 2 | 2-0-0 | +4 |
| 2. | USA | 3 | 2 | 1-0-1 | 0 |
| 3. | New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 1-0-1 | -2 |
| 4. | Guinea | 0 | 2 | 0-0-2 | -2 |
The United States have secured three points through their first two group matches at the 2024 Olympics, falling in their opener to hosts France but rebounding with an emphatic victory over New Zealand.
It leaves the U.S. teetering on the fence between qualifying for the knockout stage or being eliminated at the final hurdle, set to face basement-dwellers Guinea with their lives on the line.
How USA men's soccer can qualify for Olympic knockout stage
While the United States can qualify for the knockout stage even in defeat to Guinea, it would require significant outside help, and they would surely not wish to leave their own fate in the hands of others.
In simple terms, the U.S. simply must match or beat the result of New Zealand who take on hosts France in their final group match. Should they manage that, they would advance.
It means a win would see them through as long as New Zealand don't also beat France while making up the two-goal differential deficit, an unlikely but theoretically possible outcome.
If New Zealand beat the U.S. result — or match it and reverse the goal differential situation — then they would go through instead.
The U.S. men's soccer team would qualify for the quarterfinals at the 2024 Olympics with one of...
- USA win vs. Guinea AND ...
- New Zealand loss or draw vs. France OR
- New Zealand win vs. France AND USA maintain goal differential advantage vs. New Zealand
- USA draw vs. Guinea AND New Zealand loss or draw vs. France
- USA loss vs. Guinea AND New Zealand loss vs. France AND USA maintain goal differential advantage vs. New Zealand
The U.S. men's soccer team are eliminated from the 2024 Olympics with one of...
- USA win vs. Guinea AND New Zealand win vs. France AND New Zealand overtake USA on goal differential
- USA draw vs. Guinea AND New Zealand win vs. France
- USA loss vs. Guinea AND ...
- New Zealand win or draw vs. France OR
- New Zealand loss vs. France AND USA lose goal differential advantage
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