Ahead of this summer's Paris Games, GOAL revisits the last U.S. men's national team to qualify for the Olympics
It's crazy to think that it's been 16 years since U.S. Soccer sent a men's team to the Olympics. So much has changed in that decade and a half. Indeed, 2008 feels like three or four eras ago.
Maybe this 2024 men's U23 Olympic team will usher in a new era, although that's a topic for another day. To appreciate how far soccer has come, you also have to understand where soccer was. And with the Olympics looming, it's time for an important look back at the last team that participated in the Summer Games.
It wasn't a particularly memorable run at the 2008 Olympics, to be fair. The U.S. were unfortunate to go out in the group stage in the Beijing Games, despite amassing four points. They topped Japan in their opener, drew the Netherlands and fell to Nigeria in a do-or-die clash, ending their tournament prematurely.
For that particular U23 team, though, it was just the start of their journey. Several members of that 2008 team became legendary and led the U.S. men's national team into World Cups. A few are still kicking the ball professionally even today, while several others have emerged as some of the most prominent faces in American soccer due to their post-career work.
With that in mind, GOAL revisits the 2008 squad and what happened with them in the 16 years since.
Getty ImagesGK: Brad Guzan
One of the few players on that 2008 U.S. team that is still playing.
Guzan had a lengthy career in Europe, largely with Aston Villa, before returning home to join Atlanta United in 2017. He's won three trophies with the Five Stripes, including an MLS Cup in 2018. Additionally, he earned 64 USMNT caps and went to two World Cups as Tim Howard's backup.
AdvertisementIsaiah J. DowningCB: Marvell Wynne
Fans of FIFA, or EA FC as it's now called, will fondly remember Marvell Wynne.
The centerback was known for his pace, making him a particular type of legend to the videogame community. In real life, he enjoyed a decade-long MLS career that saw him star for four MLS clubs while making more than 300 career appearances.
Jaston GetzCB: Michael Parkhurst
A classy defender for both club and country, Parkhurst earned 25 USMNT caps between 2007 and 2014.
He played in three Gold Cups, winning two, but never quite cracked a World Cup roster despite coming close. On the club side, he was a six-time MLS All-Star with the New England Revolution, Columbus Crew and Atlanta United while also having an extended stint with Nordsjaelland in Denmark.
Getty ImagesCB: Michael Orozco
The defender was on the scene for a long time, playing in more than 400 games as a professional. The bulk of those appearances were in Liga MX, where he featured for San Luis, Pueblo, Tijuana and Lobos BUAP, with a stint in Philadelphia sandwiched in between.
He featured 29 times for the USMNT and was part of the 2013 Gold Cup-winning team as well as the Copa America squad in 2016.