Olympic Soccer 2012: Picking an All-Star First XI Heading into London

The 2012 summer Olympics are only a week from opening day, and with that we are just over a week from the 16-team men's football tournament.

With the world's best under-23 teams here to see who will win a gold medal for their nation, there is certain to be drama.

With so many youngsters, we are set to see some of the world's best young talent in the game as well as some of the best from the later stages of their careers.

The task of picking the best, technically "All-Star," team in the tournament this summer was much harder than it may seem, and I look forward to the conversations that are to come later on.

The Reserves

GK: Ahmed El-Shenawy (Eqypt, Zamalek)

DF: Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid)

DF: Neil Taylor (Great Britain, Swansea City)

CDM: Javi Martinez (Spain, Athletic Bilbao)

MF: Ganso (Brazil, Santos)

MF: Sandro (Brazil, Tottenham)

MF: Fabien Frei (Switzerland, FC Basel)

FW: Giovani Dos Santos (Mexico, Tottenham)

FW: Abel Hernandez (Uruguay, Palermo)

FW: Cristian Tello (Spain, FC Barcelona)

GK: David De Gea (Spain, Manchester United)

Manchester United surprised many with the signing of the young keeper to take the place of veteran Edwin van der Sar last season at the defending English Premier League champions.

Despite several rocky moments, due much to his age and inexperience, De Gea emerged as a solid young talent with much potential.

He will anchor the Spanish defense at the summer Olympics and is the most talented keeper amongst the 16 starters in the games.

RB: Micah Richards (Great Britain, Manchester United)

Strength and power are the two most noticeable features of Micah Richards' game. The Manchester City fullback is a force to be reckoned with when he wants to be, and he will be a great presence for Great Britain throughout the games.

Richards also has some pace and likes to get forward and help make things happen in the attacking third—and that can always be appreciated from a defender.

CB: Thiago Silva (Brazil, PSG)

Easily the best defender in the tournament is recently relocated Brazilian center-half Thiago Silva.

The new Paris Saint-Germain defender will be the key to Brazil's defensive stands in the Olympics and would be a first choice on any club's team if they had him.

CB: Sebastian Coates (Uruguay, Liverpool)

Liverpool and Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates is a massive talent in world football right now.

His tall frame makes him an ideal defender for almost any aerial situation, but his ability to strike a ball like he did against Queens Park Rangers in the English Premier League last season would make you think he was the Reds' new Peter Crouch impersonator and not a central defender.

Coates was the young player of the 2011 Copa America tournament and he is sure to have a great summer in Britain as well.

LB: Jordi Alba (Spain, FC Barcelona)

Former Valencia turned FC Barcelona defender, Jordi Alba was sensational for Spain at the 2012 UEFA European Championship as the nation lifted their third major trophy in succession.

The 23-year-old now joins his nation yet again to help push for another piece of silverware, and if he has his way he will be a force to be reckoned with down the left flank even as a defender.

RM: Juan Mata (Spain, Chelsea)

Juan Mata may not be a full-time first-team player for the senior Spanish team, but he is certain to be perhaps the best right-sided midfielder in the summer Olympics.

The Chelsea wide player will be looking to bring back another trophy for his nation and will be one of the key components of the Spanish side this summer.

CM: Gaston Ramirez (Uruguay, Bologna)

While many would place a number of Brazilians as their first-choice center midfielder, or perhaps also select Spain's Javi Martinez, I would have young Bologna and Uruguayan international Gaston Ramirez in my squad.

Ramirez proved his talent this season in Italy, and while he may not be the subject of massive bids as others are, to me he seems to have more talent than he has scratched the surface of yet, and will be a joy to watch this summer.

LM: (C) Ryan Giggs (Great Britain, Manchester United)

There is no way I could pick a starting lineup without Manchester United's veteran Ryan Giggs if I had the choice.

Despite his age, the midfield maestro is purely world-class from top to bottom, and If it were my team he would be wearing the armband as they walked out of the tunnel.

RF: Hulk (Brazil, FC Porto)

While FC Porto and Brazilian international forward Hulk can function well as an out-and-out striker, he seems to do his best work as a forward that can cut in and out of the wide areas as he pleases.

His thunderbolt of a shot means he can score from anywhere, and he would be my first-choice right-forward this summer.

LF: Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Liverpool)

Much like Hulk, Luis Suarez is a great striker when asked to lead the line. However, he proved at Ajax before moving to English club Liverpool that he was best utilized as a left-sided forward that could play in behind a front man.

That would allow him either to set himself up, which he is remarkable at, or provide a brilliant assist.

ST: Edinson Cavani (Uruguay, Napoli)

There is no other out-and-out striker in the summer Olympics that I would pick over Edinson Cavani.

The Uruguayan and Napoli attacker is set to possibly be the most potent attacking threat of the tournament, and he will look to prove that.