US men's soccer team bounces back, dominates New Zealand in group stage at Paris Olympics

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The United States men's soccer team dropped its opening game at the Paris Olympics, but they bounced back on Saturday and cruised to a 4-1 victory over New Zealand.

The win was crucial for the men's team, as they entered Saturday's game needing to come out victorious in order to avoid an early exit from the Summer Games. 

France shutout the U.S. earlier in the week, while New Zealand defeated Guinea — the USMNT's next opponent.

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Walker Zimmerman #3 of Team USA celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Men's group A match between New Zealand and the United States during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille on July 27, 2024, in Marseille, France. (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Only the top two teams from each group earn a spot in the knockout stage in the under-23 tournament.

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USMNT midfielder Djordje Mihailovic calmly hit the penalty in the eighth minute after Nathan Harriel was brought down in the box by Matthew Garbett.

U.S. defender #02 Nathan Harriel kicks the ball in the men's group A football match between New Zealand and the USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Marseille Stadium in Marseille on July 27, 2024.  (Clement Mahoudeau/AFP via Getty Images)

Four minutes later, senior player Walker Zimmerman made it 2-0 when he poked in a goal in a scramble in front of the net following a free kick.

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Gianluca Busio scored on a rebound at the half-hour mark and celebrated by dancing with teammate Kevin Paredes. Paxton Aaronson added