All the pressure is on the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team as it heads into the second matchday of the Olympic men's soccer tournament.
On Saturday, July 27 back at the Stade de Marseille, the U.S. takes on New Zealand in an all-important match, where the pressure is on the U.S. to get all three points. The U.S. is coming off a 3-0 defeat to France in Marseille, putting the U.S. squarely behind the eight ball and needing at least one huge result to help ensure they qualify for the knockout stage.
Coach Marko Mitrovic has some big decisions to make after individual errors from his overage centerback duo Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson led to goals for France.
New Zealand, on the other hand, can go into this one sitting back and knowing the U.S. will want to be on the front foot. A draw, or even a win, will set New Zealand up for a place in the quarterfinals.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch it, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
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USMNT vs. New Zealand live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this 2024 Olympics match in the U.S.:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | USA Network | Fubo, NBC Sports app/website, Peacock |
USA: This game is available for live broadcast on NBC's USA Network. Streaming options are available on Fubo, which offers a FREE trial to new subscribers, and Peacock.
What time does USMNT vs. New Zealand kick off?
This 2024 Olympics group stage match takes place at the Stade de Marseille (Stade Velodrome) in Marseille, France and kicks off on Saturday, July 27 at 7:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the US:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sat, Jul. 27 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sat, Jul. 27 | 12:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sat, Jul. 27 | 11:00 a.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sat, Jul. 27 | 10:00 a.m. |
| Alaska ST | Sat, Jul. 27 | 9:00 a.m. |
| Hawaii ST | Sat, Jul. 27 | 7:00 a.m. |
USMNT vs. New Zealand lineups, team news
Coach Marko Mitrovic has some big decisions to make, after individual mistakes cost the U.S. in their 3-0 defeat to France. It seems unlikely that he would split up the two overage centerbacks, but after their performance, we could see Maximilian Dietz come in. Additionally, further forward, only Benji Cremaschi didn't get in to the USA's last game, so he's certainly in line to play and possibly start against New Zealand.
USWNT starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Schulte (GK) — Harriel, Zimmerman, Robinson, Wiley — Busio, Tessmann, Mihailovic — McGlynn, McGuire, Cremaschi.
New Zealand's attack of Ben Waine and Sarpeet Singh are as formidable as any in the competition, and Waine is coming off scoring the game-winner last time out. New Zealand also features two players that may be familiar to some current or former MLS players with the U.S. — Michael Boxall of Minnesota United, and Jay Herdman, son of Toronto FC coach John Herdman.
New Zealand starting XI (4-3-3 right to left): Paulsen (GK) — Boxall, Surman, Bindon, Sutton — Bell, Singh, Bayless — Garbett, Waine, Herdman.
USMNT vs. New Zealand prediction
The U.S. would have known that getting a result against host France would be really tough, so all the pressure is on Mitrovic's side to get all three points on Saturday. The U.S. has enough talent, especially against similar opposition, to create chances and score goals. They should be able to score a couple. The question is, can they keep New Zealand from scoring as well?
Prediction: USMNT 2-1 New Zealand
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