U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer Team Announces Key Over-Age Selections
Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson, and Djordje Mihailovic have been chosen as over-age players for the U.S. Olympic men’s soccer team, insiders revealed. The tournament, focusing on under-23 players, allows each team to include three older athletes. U.S. Coach Marko Mitrovic will finalize the 18-man squad and four alternates soon. Zimmerman, captain of Nashville SC, is a seasoned player who participated in the 2022 World Cup and has numerous MLS awards.
Robinson, now with FC Cincinnati, missed the previous World Cup due to an Achilles’ tendon injury but participated in the Copa América squad. On the other hand, Mihailovic, playing his first season with the Colorado Rapids, brings a strong record from his time with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar and MLS teams like Chicago Fire and CF Montreal. The collaboration between Mitrovic and senior squad coach Gregg Berhalter highlights the complexities clubs pose, as they are not required to release players for the Olympics.
The U.S. team’s Olympic journey is set in Group A, with matches against France and New Zealand in Marseille, followed by a game against Guinea in Saint-Etienne. Advancing to the quarterfinals is the goal. Meanwhile, securing player releases continues to be a challenge, affecting targets like Malik Tillman, Haji Wright, and Brandon Vazquez. The roster decisions have been influenced by factors such as club commitments and players’ readiness for upcoming seasons.
