The United States got off to a rough start in their Olympic football campaign with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of host nation France in their match played in Marseille.

After finishing the first half deadlocked at 0-0, France opened the scoring with a goal from Alexandre Lacazette in the 61st minute which the striker took from long range.

That was followed up just eight minutes later with a wonderfully curled strike by Michael Olise to make it a 2-0 affair.

France's final goal went in at the 85th minute off the forehead of Loic Bade to further compound the Americans' defeat.

The United States had its chances to equalize and get consolation goals, most notably on a John Tolkin header moments after the Lacazette goal.

American striker Griffin Yow momentarily put the United States on the scoreboard late in the game with a right-footed shot, but the marker was called back for offsides.

The United States will now need results from the rest of its group games to have a chance to advance to the knockout rounds.

The Yanks return to action on Saturday, facing New Zealand and finish Group A play against Guinea on Tuesday.

Unlike the hosting French, superstars like Lacazette are not on the roster, giving the USA hope to turn things around at the Olympics.

This is the first appearance in the Olympics for the United States' men's team since 2008.

Crashing out in the group stage would be heavily disappointing for the United States, coming as a double whammy with the country's group-stage elimination from Copa America as hosts.