Growing up, Philadelphia Union Homegrowns Nate Harriel and Jack McGlynn imagined what it would be like to become Olympians, admiring the likes of swimmer Michael Phelps and track star Usain Bolt.
Now, they’ll have a chance to cement their own names in history books as part of the United States’ first Men’s Olympic Soccer Team since 2008.
Team USA’s campaign begins on Wednesday against France at 3pm – they’ll take on the host nation in front of what’s expected to be a crowd of nearly 70,000 in Marseille.
“I think it felt real right when we got off the plane and got into camp. We've dreamed about this moment for sure, since the Olympic cycle started, and the fact that it's here now, it's not just a possibility…it's actually happening,” Harriel said from the team's lodging in Bordeaux.
“We're preparing for that first game against France. It's huge. It's definitely nerve-racking, but it's also a huge honor to be a part of.”
The moment they’ve long-imagined is here, and it’s no secret there will be eyes around the world watching their matches. The grandeur and gravity of the games aside, their focus remains on one thing – bringing home a medal for the stars and stripes.
“I think the most important thing for us to remember is, first and foremost, to bring home a medal and represent the country on the biggest stage,” Harriel said.
Harriel and McGlynn are two of three Union products gearing up from the games. Former Homegrown Paxten Aaronson is there with them – but the trio isn’t the first from the Union to represent the United States in front of a global audience.
Before their departure, current Union captain and former United States Men’s National Team leader Alejandro Bedoya offered Harriel and McGlynn some words of wisdom to hold close during their time abroad.
“He just said to enjoy the moment and soak it all in. You only get this once in a lifetime, really, to represent your country on some of the biggest stages,” Harriel said.
“He just told us to take it all in,” McGlynn followed. “Not just the soccer part, but just the Olympics as a whole and just show what we can do here because there's a lot of eyes watching.”
The last match the pair played for their club was on July 6th against New York Red Bulls at Subaru Park. They departed for France two days later, convening at last with the final roster, each having received a personal phone call from Head Coach Marko Mitrovic who shared the good news that they’d made it.
In that final showing at Subaru Park, they faced defender John Tolkin, who’s one of multiple Major League Soccer rivals that have since become their Team USA teammates.
How do they shift from foes to friends?
For McGlynn and Harriel the answer is simple.
“Being rivals… we know we're all friends off the pitch. We have a really, really good group here. We're really good friends. I think we're all like brothers both on and off the pitch now, because we've had four really good camps. I think that you kind of have to flip that switch because we just played Red Bulls now we're eating meals with Tolkin everyday,” McGlynn said.
“Saturday back in Philadelphia when we played them, we weren't friends for the 90 minutes, but as soon as you step off the field, he’s a great teammate, he's a great guy, we’re great friends on and off the field,” Harriel added.
“It's enjoyable just to be here in the moment with all these guys in the league, and then come together as one to achieve one goal. It's a massive, massive thing to accomplish.”
McGlynn, Harriel, and their teammates agree that part of what makes this group special is the brotherhood among them. While most of the groundwork had already been laid through pre-camps and past experience in the sport, that connection has continued to grow, not just on the pitch, but also on the golf course – which McGlynn shared has become a frequented spot in their pre-Olympic prep routine.
“A day in life is we wake up, have breakfast, we all do our treatment. Training is usually in the morning, and then we have some lunch and treatment in the afternoon. Sometimes, if we have off, we golf because we're on a golf course,” McGlynn said.
“We're all not very great, except for a couple people. So just kind of waste money and lose balls, and then dinner, some film, and then we're done for the day.”
They’ve been in France for just over two weeks, and all of the hard work they’ve put in throughout the entire Olympic cycle will culminate on Wednesday, when their quest for Gold officially begins. Tune in on USA Network, Peacock, or Telemundo to watch the Homegrowns take on France at 3pm!
