Team USA’s goalball team faced a challenging opener at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, losing to defending champions Brazil 13-8. The match showcased the unique sport of goalball, where three visually-impaired athletes compete in silence, aided by a bell inside the ball to help them track its movement.

### Key Highlights:
– **Strong Start:** Team USA tied the game 7-7 with an impressive goal from co-captain Calahan Young, who scored six goals in total.
– **Brazil’s Dominance:** Following Young’s goal, Brazil quickly responded with six unanswered goals, sealing their victory.
– **Communication Issues:** U.S. players noted lapses in communication that contributed to defensive breakdowns.
– **Inspiring Message:** Young underscored their aim to earn respect and showcase their capabilities as elite athletes despite their visual impairments.
– **Future Challenges:** USA will face France next, with players emphasizing the need for strategic play and teamwork to improve.

The team is motivated to build on this experience and achieve better results than their fourth-place finish in Tokyo 2020. Veteran player Tyler Merren expressed his commitment to helping the team reach the medal stand, underscoring the unity among teammates regardless of age differences.