USMNT Beat Guinea: Djordje Mihailović Scores Again!

SAINT-ÉTIENNE, France – The Colorado Rapids team store at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park better is stocking-up on red, white, and blue Djordje Mihailović jerseys. The 25-year-old All-American midfielder has been making his fans, both old and new, rather proud.

Before you could rewarm Monday night leftovers, Mihailović whirled a 19-yard free kick between two splitting teammates and up-and-over Guinean goalkeeper Soumaïla Sylla into the left corner of the net. The score put the young Yanks 1-0 at the 13th-minute mark and set the tone for the balance of the meaningful match-up.

His breathtaking goal was followed by two more scores by Kevin Paredes.

Together, the three salvos punched the U.S. into a quarterfinal knockout round match against Morocco this Friday morning in Paris.

The U.S. has reached the quarterfinals of the Olympic Men’s Soccer Tournament for only the third time in its 100-year history. They advanced during the Paris 1924 Games and again during the Melbourne 1956 and Sydney 2000 Olympics. Former Rapid and Denver South High School graduate Conor Casey and All-Star goalkeeper Tim Howard were on the 2000 team.

Mihailović’s goal makes him the seventh player to score in multiple games for the U.S. Men at the Olympics, and first since midfielder Sacha Kljestan at Beijing 2008 Games. He is also the eighth player to score multiple goals for the U.S. at the Olympic Men’s Soccer Tournament. 

Win, lose, or draw, Denver’s American Outlaws and Centennial 38 should toss the lad a welcome home party at the Immigration exit door at Denver International Airport.

Mihailović is traveling with his sister, mother, and father. His proud dad told Burgundy Wave, “Playing for his Club and Country is significant. Djordje is very passionate. It means a lot to Djordje, it always has. As we all know, he loves winning and hates losing.” He added, “I know he is thankful to Colorado Rapids for allowing him to be here. He loves Denver, his team, his coaches, and Denver fans.”

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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