Olympics

Heather O'Reilly (@HeatherOReilly)
7/16/12 4:27 PM
Looking gooooood. @laurencheney8 @alexmorgan13 @CarliLloyd pic.twitter.com/zBJVndNR

PurpleGeezer wrote:The VW looks fake.

PurpleGeezer wrote:Shouldn't Carley be barefoot?

Athletes To Watch

Alex Morgan, U.S.: The speedy 23-year-old forward had a goal and assist in last year's World Cup final, but she only became a full-time starter for the U.S. earlier this year alongside veteran Abby Wambach. Morgan has been on fire in 2012, leading the U.S. with 17 goals in 15 games, and teammates say her tactical awareness is growing by leaps and bounds. She also has a knack for timely goals in the dying minutes of games.

Kelly Smith, U.K.: When healthy, Smith has been one of the world's best players, a high-scoring forward (45 international goals) who dribbles like a Brazilian. But injuries have plagued the Seton Hall alum, and it remains to be seen if the 33-year-old Arsenal player will be at her best after racing to recover from a stress fracture in one of her legs. If she's in good form, though, there will be plenty of support from the home fans. It's a great opportunity, both on and off the field: Smith's autobiography comes out July 19.

Marta, Brazil: The five-time world player of the year has yet to win a World Cup or Olympic title in five tries, and you have to wonder if her generation of Brazilian players is on the decline by now. But Marta is just 26 and still the most exciting player in global women's soccer, a dribbling dervish who can conjure goals out of nothing. She needs the support of a good team around her, however, and the lack of support from the Brazilian federation (read: few games scheduled) hinders Brazil's chances.

Homare Sawa, Japan: Sawa led Japan's fairy-tale run to the 2011 World Cup title and deservedly won the Ballon d'Or as the world player of the year. But she's 33 now, and following up on the World Cup won't be easy. Then again, Sawa's game may well work into her 30s, considering it's based on short passes and vision rather than raw athleticism. Sawa's teammates are similarly blessed on the technical side, which is why some observers call Japan the Barcelona of women's soccer.

Christine Sinclair, Canada: Who will break Mia Hamm's all-time international goal-scoring record of 158? Chances are it will be either the 29-year-old Sinclair (currently at 135) or Wambach (138). The race between Sinclair, a University of Portland alum, and Wambach should continue to be a fun one, but Sinclair's focus is on getting Canada out of a tough group that includes Japan and Sweden. After last year's World Cup fiasco, things can only get better for the Canadians.

Lotta Schelin, Sweden: Sweden's most feared striker has won the past two UEFA Champions League titles with French club Lyon and scored twice at the 2011 World Cup. At 28, Schelin might be nearing the peak of her powers. Sweden is capable of going on a deep run after reaching the World Cup semis a year ago.

Louisa Nécib, France: France was one of the most improved teams at the World Cup, reaching the semifinals, and Nécib is a fascinating 25-year-old playmaker from a French-Algerian neighborhood in Marseille who has been called the female Zinédine Zidane. The winner of two straight UEFA Champions League titles with Lyon, she'll get the chance to make an impact in France's Olympic opener against the United States.

U.S. Prospects

The only member of the U.S. team who wasn't on the 2011 World Cup squad is Sydney Leroux, an electric 22-year-old forward who scored five goals in a single game at the Olympic qualifying tournament earlier this year. New starters of late include Megan Rapinoe, who has won back a spot in the lineup after losing it just before the World Cup, Tobin Heath, who has been patrolling the left flank, and Kelley O'Hara, who has been switched from forward to left back. The U.S. will still be relying on its two stars, Wambach and goalkeeper Hope Solo, as well as defender and captain Christie Rampone (now 37) and central midfielder Lauren Cheney.

Likely U.S. lineup: Hope Solo; Amy LePeilbet, Christie Rampone, Rachel Buehler, Kelley O'Hara; Megan Rapinoe, Shannon Boxx, Lauren Cheney, Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach.

onetouchfutbol wrote:Am I out of it or missing something?

onetouchfutbol wrote: What happened to Germany?

purple passion wrote:It seems the Sporting News has some nice things to say about Megan other than "likely US lineup." Maybe the next issue of SI might talk about her too.

A few months before the 2011 Women's World Cup, Denise Rapinoe was preparing for what she thought as a run-of-the-mill video chat with her daughter, U.S. international midfielder Megan Rapinoe. She was not prepared for what she saw. Instead of the brown-haired daughter she thought she knew, what emerged on the screen was a platinum-blonde staring back at her.

"I was like 'Oh my gosh! What have you done?' It was a little shocking," said the elder Rapinoe by telephone.
Suffice it to say, the rest of the world has embraced the look wholeheartedly. There are the multiple Twitter accounts devoted to Rapinoe's mane, not to mention the Nike T-shirts emblazoned with the player's now trademark hairstyle. Eventually, even Denise Rapinoe became a convert. "My mom told me, 'It's the best thing you've ever done for yourself,'" said the U.S. midfielder in a telephone interview. "I was like, 'Thanks, Mom. I'll go ahead and take that as a compliment.'"

"I don't see that well now that I'm getting older," Denise added with a laugh. "But I can see [Megan] now, I can spot her."

She's not the only one. The U.S. midfielder is poised to make a huge impression on the 2012 Olympic Games. Off the field, Rapinoe is now one of the team's more recognizable players. More importantly, with forward Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach in electric form, the U.S. women are ready to make it a three-peat of Olympic titles, and Rapinoe will be one of their prime providers.....................

purple passion wrote:US 3 - France 2 at 60'

I counted two assists by Megan so far...is that right?

Indigo Kid wrote:Sounds like Megan had a great match. Write up from USAToday.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/soccer/story/2012-07-25/alex-morgan-leads-usa-past-france-4-2-in-opener/56483454/1

American defenders closer resembled Laurel and Hardy than Fawcett and Chastain