Team USA ready for France test in Olympic Games openers

After the disappointment of a Copa América group stage exit on home soil, this summer’s Olympic Games could provide a much-needed glimmer of optimism for soccer fans in the United States.

The 18-man roster for the US’ Under-23 team is currently based in Marseille, making final preparations ahead of their Olympics opener against France. This is the first time that the United States has qualified for the competition since 2008 and it represents a chance to blood a new generation of future stars.

Ahead of the France clash, midfielder Tanner Tessman spoke to reporters about the mood in the US camp and the off-field bonds between players.

“We’ve had a lot of good times, team bonding and just hanging out at the hotel,” Tessman told AS USA. “A lot of guys like to play cards so we play games here and there. Good conversation. We’ve been around each other for ten days now and it went so fast, having so much fun.”

“On the field as well, we’re having good times. It’s competitive, good trainings, so it’s formed a really strong group.”

Tessman continued: “We watched ‘Miracle’ together, we had a nice barbecue and a movie night. That was really fun, a lot of guys hadn’t seen the movie before so it was nice to get everybody on the same page.”

The film ‘Miracle’ tells the true story of the US men’s ice hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympics, who sensationally beat the much-fancied Soviet side in a game dubbed ‘The Miracle on Ice’. For a team looking to upset the odds at this summer’s Games, it’s a suitable pick.

Mitrovic relishing the chance to write a new story

For the young stars in this talented US squad, the Olympics offers a chance to stake a claim for a spot in the senior team. We’re now less than two years from a World Cup on home soil and there are places to play for in the US roster.

The disappointment of the Copa América exit will linger for fans of USMNT but Olympics head coach Marko Mitrovic insists that his team has the chance to write their own story.

“It’s two completely different tournaments, two separate stories. Here the majority of the group are young players and one of our objectives is to bring them to the senior team, no matter what the result was at Copa América,” Mitrovic told AS USA. “That was the objective before and after Copa América. It’s two separate stories. We’re very focused on the Olympic Games.”

Team USA will need to be on top form when they take on hosts and favourites France on Wednesday. Mitrovic’s side will face an impassioned home support at Olympique Marseille’s 67,000-seater Orange Vélodrome but know they have what it takes to cause a major upset in their tournament opener.