Philadelphia Union Homegrowns Jack McGlynn, Nate Harriel, and Paxten Aaronson shined in Team USA’s historic 4-1 victory over New Zealand on Saturday in the Paris Olympics. The trio’s effort helped lift the stars and stripes to it's first-ever four-goal Olympic match, which set them up for a chance to emerge from the group stage for the first time since 2000.
How it happened
Head Coach Marko Mitrovic kept the same starting lineup from the team’s opening match against France, again opting to use Harriel at right back and Aaronson in the midfield. Team USA opened scoring with an eighth minute penalty kick goal taken by Colorado Rapids' Djordje Mihailovic, but it was Harriel who drew the foul in the box to give his country the opportunity from the spot.
The 23-year-old Union defender’s impact didn’t stop there – he contributed to the United States’ second goal too, putting his aerial dominance on display when he headed a corner from Mihailovic toward the net, setting up Nashville SC’s Walker Zimmerman for a final scoring touch.
The two-goal lead became three by the 30th minute, when Gianluca Busio toed a shot for another USA goal. He was forced to leave the match due to injury shortly after, spurring McGlynn’s entrance off the bench.
With all three Union products in the game, the lead became four by way of none other than Aaronson, who came up through the Union’s renowned pathway to the pros before he was transferred to Bundesliga Club Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022 – he’s currently on loan at Eredivisie club Utrecht.
Despite a handful of promising shots from McGlynn, including one that hit the back of the net but was called offsides and a late curving blast from distance that hit the crossbar, the match finished 4-1.
What’s next
With France, the tournament favorites, part of their group, Team USA’s four-goal performance was essential as only the top two teams in each group advance to the knockout stage. With a win against New Zealand, a loss against France to open their Olympic campaign, and a match against Guinea scheduled for Tuesday, Team USA’s hopes to emerge from the group stage are alive and well.
