Philly Leader

Philadelphia Union Homegrowns Jack McGlynn, Nathan Harriel, and Paxten Aaronson propelled Team USA to a 3-0 victory against Guinea on Tuesday, securing a spot in the Olympic quarterfinals for the first time since 2000.

All three players significantly contributed to the United States’ group stage performance. They will continue their campaign in Paris on Friday when they face Morocco in the knockout round.

Team USA displayed another dominant performance against Guinea, following their 4-1 win over New Zealand on Saturday. Head Coach Marko Mitrovic started Harriel and Aaronson for a third consecutive match. Ten of the eleven players in Tuesday’s starting lineup had either played in Major League Soccer or developed in an MLS academy. Philadelphia Union’s influence was evident with Harriel at right back and Aaronson in midfield.

The United States took an early lead in the 14th minute with a curving free-kick goal from Colorado Rapids’ Djordje Mihailovic. Shortly after, Aaronson assisted fellow MLS standout turned Bundesliga player Kevin Paredes for a score in the 31st minute. The Medford, New Jersey native found Paredes sprinting up the right sideline and bolting through two Guinean defenders to blast the ball past their keeper from the top right of the box.

The United States maintained their dominance into the second half, extending their lead to 3-0 with another goal from Paredes before he was substituted out of the match.

The team has spent most of their time in other regions of France but will now enter the Olympic epicenter for a high-stakes matchup against Morocco at Parc des Princes, home of Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain. The game is scheduled for 9 am ET on Friday and can be watched on USA Network, Telemundo, or Peacock.