GOAL looks at how the Olympic squad players have performed since the Paris Games, and what's next for the USMNT's young stars
It's been nearly six months since the U.S. men's national team competed in the Olympics, a return to the Games for the first time in more than two decades. At the Paris Games, coach Marko Mitrovic led the U23 USMNT to the quarterfinals, where they bowed out after a valiant performance against eventual bronze medalists Morocco.
The roster, led by overage veterans Walker Zimmerman and Djordje Mihailovic, advanced to the knockouts for the first time in 24 years – they had not made it that far since the 2000 Sydney Games, where they finished fourth.
Although they did not end up on the podium, the U.S. put on a performance that both inspired and ignited the next generation of men's American soccer fans and players. Kevin Paredes, 2023 U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year, had a breakout tournament – as did Paxten Aaronson, younger brother of senior star and Leeds United midfielder Brenden. Tanner Tessmann earned a big-money move as a result of his performances in France on the international stage.
GOAL takes a look at how the squad has performed at the club level since the Olympics, and what comes next for some of U.S. Soccer's brightest young stars.
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Patrick Schulte: Schulte, who was the U.S. No. 1 in Paris, had one of the biggest 2024 campaigns of anybody on the roster. He helped lead the Columbus Crew to three seperate Cup Finals at the club level, while internationally, he has worked his way into the starting goalkeeper conversation with the senior USMNT.
In September, he logged 90 minutes in an international friendly against Canada, but he has yet to debut competitively under new USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino – despite being a member of both his October and November camps. The January camp presents an opportunity for the Crew star to impress the manager.
Gaga Slonina: The Chelsea loanee backed up Schulte in Paris, and his since been sent on loan to League One side Barnsley for the 2024-25 season. Things began brightly for the 20-year-old, as he started 11 of 12 matches for the club. However, he suffered a finger injury in early November that has sidelined him since – and an exact return date is still to be determined. However, Slonina is still deemed one of the most exciting goalkeeping prospects in the pool, and 2025 could be his biggest year yet as a professional.
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Maximilian Dietz: Dietz, a 22-year-old defender/midfielder, made three appearances for the U.S. in Paris, with one start. However, his performances lacked impact, and he went unused in the knockout round against Morocco. At the club level, he returned to Germany after with Greuther Furth, where he has started 12 of their 14 regular season matches as they sit 14th in the 2. Bundesliga – just six points clear of a potential relegation.
Nathan Harriel: Starting and playing 90 minutes in all four matches for the U.S., Harriel was a top performer at right fullback in Paris. Upon return to the Philadelphia Union, the 23-year-old was inserted into their XI during the Leagues Cup. Across the regular season, he started 27 of his 29 appearances for the Eastern Conference side, scoring two goals and recording three assists. With Jim Curtin out as manager for the Union, it remains to be seen what 2025 presents for Harriel, and if he can elevate his game to the next level.
Miles Robinson: Robinson, another overage selection in Paris, started all four matches for the U.S., but was an underperforming player at the Games. The USMNT veteran struggled in a new setup under Mitrovic – whom he had never played for prior to the competition. At the club level, the 27-year-old returned to FC Cincinnati to help spearhead their run into the MLS postseason, where they fell short, crashing out in the opening round.
John Tolkin: Starting all four matches for the USMNT in Paris, Tolkin was the surprise pick over Caleb Wiley – and it propelled him to have an outstanding 2024 for both club and country. At the club level, he helped lead the New York Red Bulls to their first MLS Cup appearance since 2008 – where they lost to the LA Galaxy. There's an expectation that Tolkin's time in MLS is over and that he will move abroad to Europe. An unnamed Bundesliga side has been tracking him, but there will surely be a handful of suitors across Europe looking at him in January.
Caleb Wiley: Wiley had a significant summer, despite playing just 26 minutes in Paris. He moved to Premier League powerhouse Chelsea FC from Atlanta United, and has since been loaned out to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg for his debut season in Europe. However, not much has gone to plan since. Dealing with injury after injury, he's made just six appearances for the club, and is currently sidelined with a shoulder issue.
Walker Zimmerman: One of the selected captains and overage players to represent the USMNT in Paris, Zimmerman was one of the top performers in the Games. A leader in the back and the voice of the team, his veteran presence helped guide the U.S. to the knockouts. At the club level, though, the 31-year-old dealt with a few minor injuries, making 25 appearances for Nashville SC in a year of turnover for the MLS side. Reuniting with former USMNT assistant coach B.J. Callaghan as his new club manager, Zimmerman looks to break back into the senior squad and make his debut under Pochettino.
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Gianluca Busio: One of the main components of Mitrovic's Paris squad, Busio started the games brightly with two straight starts and a goal against New Zealand before suffering an injury that ended his Olympic journey. At the club level, he helped Italian side Venezia earn promotion to Serie A in 2023-24, and he's started 12 of 14 matches across the regular season. However, the club sits 19th in the standings, actively threatened by the possibility of relegation.
Benjamin Cremaschi: The youngest player of the U.S. team in Paris, the Inter Miami starlet struggled for minutes at the Games – but he didn't let that affect his club form. He returned to South Beach to round out his campaign with Lionel Messi and Co. to score four goals and record three assists in 22 appearances. Touted by then-Miami manager Tata Martino to be an important piece going forward, the 19-year-old is still a raw professional – and it remains to be seen if he's ready to take the next step as a senior player.
Jack McGlynn: McGlynn, one of U.S. Soccer's most exciting midfield prospects, was a regular for the Philadelphia Union all season, starting 25 of 30 matches while scoring four goals and recording seven assists. However, the 21-year-old homegrown defensive midfielder is now out of contract with the club, and despite negotiations ongoing with the Union, there's a chance he could move to Europe. Yet to have a senior cap, McGlynn is one to watch for Pochettino's January camp, which typically consists of domestic talent in MLS and Liga MX.
Djordje Mihailovic: Mihailovic, one of the overage players for Olympics, scored twice and recorded one assist in Paris. At the club level with the Colorado Rapids, he had a splendid year with 11 goals and 14 assists. It was a real breakout year for the 26-year-old who had his best performances to date as a professional across all leagues and competitions.
Tanner Tessmann: What a six months it's been for Tessmann, who earned a brilliant move abroad to Lyon in France after captaining the USMNT in Paris. He's become a regular contributor for the Ligue 1 heavyweights, and featured in both senior camps under Pochettino in 2024. The 23-year-old Alabama native started both matches for the U.S. in November against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, and is the player from Paris squad most ready for the senior team.
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Paxten Aaronson: Aaronson has arguably had the best campaign of any player on the Paris roster since returning from the Olympics. With FC Utrecht, he's become a regular in their XI as they sit second in the Dutch Eredivisie. He has four goals and two assists in 16 appearances this campaign. A versatile attacker who can play in both central and wide roles, Aaronson is one of U.S. Soccer's hottest prospects – and somebody to watch for a summer transfer, while playing a potential role in Pochettino's senior teams in 2025.
Taylor Booth: Booth's 2023-24 season had American soccer fans excited for what was to come, but he's had a rough time finding the pitch with Utrecht, alongside Aaronson. He has made just nine total appearances, with zero goal-contributions across 255 minutes in the Eredivisie. A loan move this January may be in the cards for the winger, as he looks for regular playing time.
Duncan McGuire: McGuire, the lone natural striker in Paris, left the tournament without a goal and returned to Orlando City, falling out of favor under Oscar Pareja. It was a whirlwind 2024 for the 23-year-old, who saw a move abroad to England collapse last January due to a paperwork error – and then, inconsistencies in his form followed. He scored 10 goals and notched three assists in 18 starts for the MLS side this season, but he started just one match. It's hard to imagine another move abroad coming to fruition, but perhaps a change of scenery would benefit his prospects – for both club and country.
Kevin Paredes: It's been such a disappointing period for Paredes since the Paris Games, as he's dealt with injury after injury. The U.S.' best performer at the Olympics, Paredes bagged two goals and recorded an assist while logging a start in all four matches. However, upon his return to Germany with Wolfsburg, he suffered a foot injury before the Bundesliga campaign even began. In November, he underwent surgery, and his return date is unknown.
Griffin Yow: Yow, a surprising breakout performer in Paris, returned to Westerlo in Belgium's top division, where he garnered transfer interest from Europe in the summer. However, he's struggled at the club level since the Olympic Games, with one goal in 13 appearances this season. Despite that, though, a January move could still be on the cards for the 22-year-old ex-D.C. United homegrown attacker.
