Colorado Rapids midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, FC Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson, and Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman have been named as the key players in the 18-player roster for the United States men's Olympic team by manager Marko Mitrovic. The men's Olympic soccer tournament is limited to players under the age of 23, with three 'overage' players allowed, filled by Mihailovic, Robinson, and Zimmerman. The rest of the roster consists of players born on or after Jan. 1, 2001.
This year's tournament in Paris marks the first time the U.S. men have qualified for the Olympics since 2008. The roster also includes midfielders Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann, who played crucial roles in Venezia's promotion to Italy's Serie A last season.
Due to the Olympics not being an official FIFA competition, club teams are not obligated to release players for the tournament. This explains why most players from the USMNT that competed in the Copa América are not on the roster, with Robinson being the exception.
Despite these limitations, Mitrovic managed to construct a roster with 15 out of the 18 players having made appearances for the full U.S. men's national team. Zimmerman, a veteran of the 2022 World Cup squad, leads the way with 42 appearances.
Ten players are currently contracted with MLS clubs, while the rest play in Europe. The last U.S. team to participate in 2008 was led by Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, narrowly missing out on the medal round.
The U.S. men qualified for this year's Olympics by winning the 2022 Concacaf under-20 Championship. Only Jack McGlynn and Paxten Aaronson from that team made the final Olympic squad.
All of the U.S.'s group stage games will be played in Marseille, starting with the opener against France on July 24, followed by matches against New Zealand and Guinea. If the U.S. advances, the quarterfinals will be in Paris or Bordeaux, with the semifinals in Marseille and Décines-Charpieu, and the final in Paris on Aug. 9.
The U.S. will prepare for the Games in Bordeaux before moving to Marseille. The roster includes players from various clubs and hometowns, showcasing the diversity and talent of the U.S. Olympic men's soccer team.
