London 2012 Soccer: Players Who Will Lead Country to Gold-Medal Glory

Let's get one thing out of the way—I fully expect the Brazilian men and United States women to win gold in the 2012 London Olympic soccer tournaments.

But which players will key the gold-medal success of each team?

From two of the world's brightest young talents to a seasoned veteran with a penchant for coming up big in the clutch, both teams are rife with excellent players. Below, I've identified the three I think will have the biggest impact in their country's gold-medal victories.

Megan Rapinoe, United States

I love watching Rapinoe play. I love how feisty and spirited she is in attack. I love how pinpoint her crosses from the wing generally are. I love how she is clutch—her two goals against Canada kept the U.S. in a game that Christine Sinclair threatened to win all on her own—when the U.S. women need her most.

She doesn't get the headlines that some of the other U.S. ladies receive, but for my money, she is the heart and soul of this team. Look for her to play a huge role in the United States victory over Japan.

Neymar, Brazil

Leandro Damiao may lead the men's tournament with six goals, but let's keep it real for a second—the most dangerous player on an incredibly dangerous Brazil side is Neymar.

His pace and ball control is astounding, and when he attacks the goal line from the wing, it's almost inevitable that a goal for one of his teammates is coming. He has three goals of his own, two assists and, though not measurable, has certainly attracted a lion's share of his opponent's attention when he is on the ball.

Brazil faces a tough task in Mexico in the gold-medal game, but with the amount of talent and depth for Brazil, it's hard to imagine them losing this game. It would be the first gold medal for the Brazilian men, so you know the motivation is there as well.

Plus, the Brazilians have this tournament's best player—and one of the finest players in the world, period—in Neymar. Look for his dazzling runs, fantastic vision, unparalleled ball control, creativity and clinical finishing inside the box to lead Brazil to gold.

Alex Morgan, United States

Quietly hidden behind the enthralling drama of Morgan's game-winning goal against Canada was the symbolism behind it. Just one summer ago, it was Abby Wambach that provided a dramatic, stoppage-time goal off a header off a deep cross to send the game to penalty kicks against Brazil.

And while Wambach is still an excellent player and one of the world's top forwards, I think it's safe to say the torch is being passed to Morgan.

Morgan is simply the most compelling player on this United States team. Her pace and control on the ball makes her deadly in the counter-attack and keep opponents from pushing too far up the pitch. Her clinical finishing has made her one of the most dangerous goal-scorers in the world. Plus, her athleticism allows her to get to balls on crosses like the one that beat Canada.

Her goal drought between the United States' first game against France and this latest contest against Canada was surprising, but she made her presence felt on the pitch nonetheless. Her ascension this past year is the major difference in this U.S. team, and the reason they'll avenge the World Cup final loss to Japan a year ago and earn the gold at these Olympics.

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