The United States men's soccer team aims to rebound from a 3-0 loss to France in Saturday's match against New Zealand at Marseille's Stade Vélodrome. You can watch the game on USA, Peacock and Fubo starting at 1 p.m. ET.
USA checks in as a slight favorite over New Zealand, which defeated Guinea, 3-1, in its opening match on Wednesday, according to odds at top sportsbooks. France and New Zealand are tied atop the Group A standings with records of 1-0.
Guinea and USA round out Group A at 0-1, with Guinea enjoying a +1 goal differential over the Americans.
Let's get to New Zealand vs. USA men's soccer odds & picks for Saturday's match in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
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DraftKings Sportsbook's odds on New Zealand vs. USA men's soccer match
DraftKings is offering the following three-way odds on New Zealand vs. USA:
- New Zealand +425
- Draw +300
- United States -155
United States news and analysis
This is not the same USA team that competed in Copa America with star player Christian Pulisic. It's the US Under-23 team, plus three players over the age of 23, per FIFA's Olympic rules.
Pulisic was not selected. Instead Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson and Djordje Mihailovic were added to the roster.
Mihailovic, who plays for the Colorado Rapids in MLS, nearly gave the USA a 1-0 lead against France when his shot from outside the box hit the crossbar. Ultimately, though, the Americans were shut out.
That opening-match loss to pre-tournament favorite France won't mean much if the Americans take care of New Zealand and Guinea in group play to advance to the knockout stage.
The USA's top young players include:
- Midfielder Gianluca Busio (Serie A club Venezia)
- Forward Kevin Paredes (Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg)
- Forward Paxten Aaronson (Eredivisie club Utrecht)
- Midfielder Taylor Booth (Eredivisie club Utrecht)
USA qualified for the 2024 Olympics by winning the 2022 Concacaf U-20 Championship. That tournament served as the qualifying event for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics. USA rolled over Honduras 3-0 in the semifinals to secure its Olympic berth.
The United States, which last competed in the 2008 Olympics, has never won an Olympic medal in men's soccer. Its best finish came in the 2000 Sydney Games in fourth place.
New Zealand news and analysis
New Zealand has competed in four of the past five Olympics. Known as the Oly Whites, New Zealand cruised through the Oceania Football Confederation's qualifying tournament with a 4-0 record. None of the games were particularly close.
- New Zealand 3, Papua New Guinea 0
- New Zealand 3, Fiji 1
- New Zealand 8, Vanuatu 0
- New Zealand 9, Fiji 0
New Zealand goalie Alex Paulsen (EPL club Bournemouth) came up huge with seven saves in the opener against Guinea, which controlled 55.4% of possession.
Guinea out shot New Zealand 17-9, with eight shots coming on frame. New Zealand needs to play much better in its 4-4-3 attacking formation if it hopes to get three points against the USA. Matthew Garbett and Ben Waine scored New Zealand's goals against Guinea.
Waine has been productive in international competition for New Zealand. He finished as the second-leading scorer in the OFC Nations Cup back in June. The Americans will have to account for his quickness on Saturday.
New Zealand vs. USA prediction
It wouldn't be a surprise to see both teams take a more cautious approach in this match. Three points will be huge for either side if they can get the outright win, but we're backing the draw at +300 odds.
Men's Olympic soccer futures odds at Caesars Sportsbook
As mentioned, France is the betting favorite to win the gold medal as host country. Here are Caesars Sportsbook's futures odds for the 2024 Olympics men's soccer tournament for top contenders to win gold:
- France +180
- Spain +220
- Japan +650
- Argentina +650
- Morocco +900
- United States +2500
- Iraq +3500
- Mali +3500
- Egypt +4000
- Israel +4000
Brazil captured the gold medal in the last two Summer Olympics, but it failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Games.
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