Olympic Soccer 2012: Biggest Breakout Players in London

If you have not watched Olympic soccer this summer, you have missed out. Almost every match has gone into extra time or come down to a last-minute goal.

After today, both the men's and women's tournaments will be in the medal matches with high expectations for all games.

Of course, the final teams would not be where they are if not for standout performances from key players. Whether it be a great pass or an amazing header, there have been a handful of athletes from both tournaments that have stood out and have been key to their teams' success.

Without further ado, here are the 2012 Olympic soccer breakout players. 

Yuki Ogimi

Yuki Ogimi is a 25-year-old on Team Japan and has been crucial to Japan's success in the knockout stages.

What makes Ogimi a breakout player is not only her scoring, but the timing of her scoring.

Ogimi has two goals in the elimination rounds. 

Both of her goals occurred early in the match, with her goal against Brazil coming in the 27th minute and her goal against France coming in the 32nd minute.

These goals were the first goals of both matches and her goal against Brazil turned into the winning goal as Japan blanked Brazil 2-0.

Timing refers to more than when in the game the goal occurred, as it also refers to how she scored the goal.

Her goal against France is a great example of how Ogimi makes sure she is in the right place at the right time. The free kick sailed deep into the box, went through the goalkeeper's hands and with three French players around the ball, fell right in front of a hustling Ogimi, resulting in a sliding goal score.

Ogimi will need her amazing timing in the gold-medal match as the US team will be looking for redemption for last year's blown World Cup defeat.

Giovani Dos Santos

Giovani dos Santos is a 23-year-old that has taken the Mexican team and the men's soccer tournament by storm.

Along with teammate Hector Herrera, dos Santos has provided a spark off the Mexican bench.

In the 2012 Olympics, dos Santos has three goals. Two of those goals came in a close match against Gabon.

In an unlikely situation, Mexico had been held scoreless by Gabon until dos Santos came off the bench. He scored the only two goals of the game and he is a huge reason for Mexico's appearance in the semifinals.

Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe of the USA women's team is not known for her scoring abilities. She is more of a facilitator, like a point guard in basketball.

That has changed for the 2012 Olympics as Rapinoe has three goals in the tournament. Her latest goals, though, happened exactly when the US women's team needed them most.

In the semifinals, the US faced Canada, a team that had not beaten the US in 11 years and had not scored against the US in nine years.

Christine Sinclair took it upon herself to change this as she scored a hat trick in the match.

Luckily for the US, Rapinoe put her Abby Wambach shoes on and kept the US in the match. After each of Sinclair's two goals, Rapinoe answered with a goal of her own.

Rapinoe's goals kept the US close enough for a penalty kick to send the match into extra time where a game-winning header would put the US into the gold-medal match. 

Oscar

Oscar is the name of a rising star in Brazil. Unfortunately, when thinking of a rising star from Brazil people will only think Neymar.

Oscar may only have one goal, but he is on his way to being one of the best in the world.

At the age of 20, Oscar has become the man behind the scenes of the show known as Neymar. When Neymar scores, it is often Oscar who set up the play with a great pass.

Oscar does come off the bench, but he provides an instant spark and it is not hard to see that he knows how to play the game of soccer. Look for Oscar to soon join the popularity ranks of Neymar as his career continues. 

Neymar

Neymar is Brazil's 19-year-old phenom and has been the talk of the men's tournament.

Neymar has three goals, including one off a free kick, but that is not what has made him a breakout player.

Neymar seemingly does everything at an exceptional level.

Neymar's speed with the ball is faster than most when they are without the ball.

His passing abilities are exceptional, and it is a pass, not a goal, that showcased why there is so much attention being given to this rising star.

Against Belarus, Neymar ran up the left side of the field, slashed inside the box and made a no-look pass to a trailing Oscar who finished the play with a goal.

He displayed speed, awareness, knowledge of the games and amazing passing skills, all on one short play.

There is no question he will be leading this Brazil team to countless championships in the future.

Moussa Konate

No player has defined "breakout player" more than Konate has.

Konate was the leading goal scorer of the men's tournament with five as he helped Senegal achieve success in the tournament before being eliminated by Mexico.

What is so amazing is that he was virtually an unknown 19-year-old soccer player who spends his time playing in Israel.

Then comes the 2012 Olympics and he explodes onto the world stage with five goals. He is much like Neymar in terms of speed and agility, but Konate personifies a great scorer.

Konate is just a dominant force and did all he could against Mexico in regular time, but he could not get enough help in extra time to keep his team in the tournament.

Konate's career is just beginning and he will be the talk of the soccer world for years to come.