USA Women's Olympic Soccer Team: Alex Morgan and Tournament's Best Players

Group play is over, and the tournament's first major upset happened in the final match. Great Britain, in front of a raucous home crowd, defeated Brazil 1-0.

The result allows the US to avoid Brazil, Japan and Sweden until a medal match. A big help to America's gold medal hopes.

The London Games continues the emergence of women's soccer on the world stage. Fans around the globe are continually impressed at the skill and excitement these women bring to the pitch. And it is about time folks started to wake up.

Here is a look at the USA's four best players so far in the women's tournament.

Kelley O'Hara

Kelley O’Hara replaced Alex Krieger on the roster following her injury at the beginning of the year. It was not clear how well she would do on the defense, but coach Pia Sundhage had faith in her.

And it paid off.

O’Hara has been simply sublime since taking over the position, and has proven that she can be a starter in the future.

One of the biggest additions she brings to the table is her attacking nature. Her runs up the field were something the US lacked previously. In case there is a counterattack, she has shown tremendous recovery speed to make the necessary stops.

She is beginning to turn heads, and rightfully so. If she continues this type of excellent play, someone else could find themselves out of the starting rotation when Krieger returns.

Carli Lloyd

Coming in to replace Shannon Boxx in the first match of the Olympic Games, Carli Lloyd instantly put herself back on the radar with two goals in two games.

Her role in the center with Lauren Cheney has been crucial to the success of the team. Lloyd provided control, defense and excellent passing to the dynamic striking attack of Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan.

It is unclear if Boxx will return to her starting role during the knockout stages, but with how Lloyd has performed it will be a hard decision to keep her sitting.

If Sundhage wants to keep riding the hot hand, she will have to stick with Lloyd. As one of the best all-around midfielders, there is certainly nothing wrong with that.

Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe has been a pleasant surprise in the Olympic Games.

At the 2011 World Cup she was considered a super-sub. Her incredible motor and energy helped lift the team when she was be subbed in. After earning her starting role, she proved that she could go the full 90 and be just as effective.

Rapinoe has been involved in many of the big plays this Olympics. She has dominated out wide, and started the scoring against Colombia with a magnificent strike.

She is a star that is on the rise with a personality that fans love. The USWNT will need her spark to capture the gold.

Alex Morgan

Morgan started the tournament off on the right foot. She scored two important and outstanding goals against France in a comeback performance. But it has been her vision and ability to maneuver the ball that has impressed at the Olympics.

In the final group match against North Korea, Morgan did not score but had several nice plays, and provided an assist on the lone goal scored by Abby Wambach.

Coming into the tournament, a lot was made of her scoring prowess, and for good reason. But what she has showed thus far is an all-around game, and the maturation of a true superstar.

Morgan has showcased incredible touches and very good defense. Her speed allowed her to close on the Koreans and get the ball. Playing alongside Wambach has been a tremendous help to her career and overall game.

As she continues to add more tools to her arsenal, she will become the most dangerous player on the planet. It will move her past incredible talents such as Marta.

Morgan is on the road to greatness, and if she can help lead the USWNT to gold, it will make a statement that resonates.

Three more games until her legend begins.

Abby Wambach

While Abby Wambach has scored in each of the three matches so far, it is her leadership that has helped the team more.

The team feeds off of her energy.

After falling behind 2-0 to France in the first match, Wambach scored in the 19th minute, and the fire ignited in Team USA was visible. In the match against Colombia, she was socked in the face. Teammates rushed to her defense and things got a bit chippy, but it was Wambach who was the calm and collected member of the team. She settled down her counterparts and got things back on track.

In the final match against North Korea, she was the lone goal scorer despite many great looks and attempts from others. She is a prolific scorer, and having that in your back pocket at all times makes you dangerous.

She will get the chance for more goals as the USWNT marches onward in the tournament.