USA U23s vs Guinea U23s

Fresh off a dominant victory over New Zealand, the USA will face Guinea in the final round of group-stage games at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday.

Despite the National Elephants losing their opening two games in Group A, a win here could secure their spot in the knockout stages. We anticipate a strong effort from them at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. The United States boosted their quarter-final hopes with a 4-1 win over New Zealand at Allianz Riviera on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Djordje Mihailovic, Walker Zimmerman, Gianluca Busio, and Paxten Aaronson gave the USA a commanding lead before Jesse Randall scored for New Zealand in the 78th minute.

Just three days earlier, Team USA suffered a 3-0 defeat against host nation France in their Group A opener, with Alexandre Lacazette, Michael Olise, and Loic Balde scoring for Les Bleus in the second half.

Participating in the Olympics for the first time in 16 years, Marko Mitrovic's squad aims to avoid repeating their 2008 run, where they finished third in Group B and missed the knockout stages by one point.

Team USA's best Olympic result came in 2000 in Australia, where they topped Group C and defeated Japan on penalties in the quarter-finals. However, they lost 3-1 to Spain in the semi-finals and 2-0 to Chile in the bronze medal match.

Guinea, making their first-ever Olympic football appearance, is on the verge of a group-stage exit after losing their first two matches. They were narrowly defeated 2-1 by New Zealand in their opener at Allianz Riviera on July 24, with goals from Matthew Garbett and Ben Waine sandwiching Amadou Diawara's equalizer for Guinea.

Kaba Diawara's men put in a resilient performance against France but fell to a 1-0 defeat, with Freiburg defender Kiliann Sildillia scoring the decisive goal in the 75th minute.

Although Guinea has yet to earn points in Group A, they still have a chance to advance to the last eight with a win on Tuesday, provided France defeats New Zealand in the other group fixture.

Venezia midfielder Busio was injured in the first half against New Zealand, making him doubtful for Team USA. Philadelphia Union's Jack McGlynn might start in his place, joining Colorado Rapids' Mihailovic and captain Tanner Tessmann in midfield.

Following a strong performance against France, Guinea is expected to field a similar lineup on Tuesday, with Madiou Keita, Mohamed Soumah, and Bangali Cisse in defense, shielding goalkeeper Soumaila Sylla.

Anderlecht's Diawara, Guinea's sole scorer at the Games, is likely to start again, partnering with Le Havre's Abdoulaye Toure in midfield. Former Barcelona youngster Ilaix Moriba will likely play in the front three alongside Algassime Bah and captain Naby Keita.

USA Possible Starting Lineup: Schulte; Tolkin, Robinson, Zimmerman, Harriel; Tessmann, McGlynn, Mihailovic; Aaronson, Parades, McGuire

Guinea Possible Starting Lineup: Sylla; Keita, Soumah, Cisse; Diallo, Diawara, Toure, Balde; Moriba, Bah, Keita