Score, score, score some more: Five changes USMNT must make to beat New Zealand, stay alive in Olympics

Against France, McGuire was left on an island in the middle of the pitch, all alone. He had no service, couldn't integrate himself into the match and was ushered off the pitch late in the second half.

The only striker on the U.S. roster this tournament, the team's goal-scoring hopes rest with him. Coach Marko Mitrovic - who is also out to prove himself in this tournament - needs to make tactical adjustments to get McGuire on the ball, because when he's in-form, he's ruthless in front of net.

Despite logging 86 minutes in the Olympic opener, McGuire had zero shots or attempts on target, with only three total touches in the opposition box. He lost 50% of his ground duels and won just 33% of his aerial duels. To make matters worse, he struggled passing, as well, completing just 11 of 19 passes across the match.

The U.S. won't succeed if they can't get their striker integrated in the game, even to the point of just winning tackles and completing passes.

Mitrovic said he would deploy different tactics, likely to see the U.S. pressing higher up the field to pose more of an attacking threat.

Against New Zealand, McGuire will need crosses and service, while the attacking midfielder in their 4-3-3 setup will need to look to him centrally with low-driven through-balls, as well.

On the left side of the defense, it was a surprise to many to see John Tolkin get the nod over Caleb Wiley. The RBNY defender is more defensive-minded, but Wiley is more versatile in terms of operating across the flank.

On France's second goal of the match, Tolkin failed to close-down Michael Olise quickly before the Bayern Munich winger fired home an effort from outside the box. The goal was the dagger that saw all U.S. energy fade.

Wiley, meanwhile, has been a regular under Mitrovic, so it was surprising to not see him get the nod. Recently completing a sensational transfer to English powerhouse Chelsea FC, the young left back is widely-seen as one of the most talented in the pool.

Against a Kiwi side that doesn't particularly have the attacking prowess of France, it would be wise of Mitrovic to throw Wiley in for Tolkin, to try and spring the counter quicker while pushing his fullbacks higher up the pitch.

It's a tough call asking Mitrovic to drop one of Djordje Mihailovic, Kevin Paredes or McGuire, but for the sake of advancing into the knockout round, it may be necessary.

Of the front-four that started against France, Paxten Aaronson was by far the best player on the pitch - he is essentially un-droppable at this point. Paredes had moments and Mihailovic did indeed hit the crossbar on a brilliant effort, but neither were game-changers. McGuire, meanwhile struggled.

Booth was influential for the U.S. in the buildup to the tournament, scoring their lone goal in a closed-door 1-1 friendly draw with Spain. On top of that, he was lively in his second half cameo against France on matchday one, completing 100% of his passes and 50% of his dribbles. Although he only logged 14 minutes, he brought energy and a fresh look.

If McGuire were to be the one dropped, Aaronson would move central, giving Booth room in the XI.

Miles Robinson had a poor start to these Games. If the plan was always to send him to Paris, it may be worth asking why he wasn't training with the group ahead of the Olympics, and why he missed out on the June camp. Sending him to Copa America with the first team, where he did not play, may have been a severe oversight.

Against France, he looked out of it, struggling to connect with Nathaniel Harriel and Gianluca Busio on the right side of the pitch. Meanwhile, his connection with Walker Zimmerman left much to be desired.

One of the more experienced players on the pitch, Robinson is widely regarded as the best American defender competing in MLS, and has 29 senior caps with the USMNT.

They'll need him to be locked in if they want to secure a result against New Zealand.

In tournament play, criteria points can become the most important part of advancing to the knockout round - especially if you fall in your group opener. With only two teams from each group advancing, teams can sometimes end level on direct points earned, meaning advancement turns to criteria.

First up is goal-differential, and the U.S. are currently in a deficit as a result of their 3-0 trashing at the hands of France, the gold medal favorite. Bottom of the group with a -3 GD, they need goals, and fast, to avoid a potential early exit.

And if the chance arrives, they must press the pedal against New Zealand. They need as many goals as possible in an effort to make up the deficit from the goal-less opener. New Zealand currently has a +1 GD, meaning they have a +4 GD over the USMNT heading into the match. The U.S. cannot afford to falter, and once they score, keep scoring.