US Olympic Trials 2013 Curling: Likeliest Teams to Get to Sochi

It is still yet to be determined if the United States will send any curling teams to participate in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, but the domestic trials are underway.

This gives an early look at what teams from the USA are likeliest to advance from the initial stages this week at the Scheels Arena in Fargo, N.D. From there, a trip to Fussen, Germany, looms, where it will be determined if an American team can grab at least one of the final two Olympic slots available.

Now is the time for the USA to be optimistic, though, so let's take a look at those who should emerge from this stage and at least advance to Fussen in their bids for the Winter Games.

Note: Results and information are courtesy of CurlingZone.com, via TeamUSA.org, unless otherwise indicated.

Men's: Team Shuster

John Shuster serves as the skip for this team and possesses invaluable experience as a bronze medalist in the 2006 Games in Turin.

Thus far, Shuster's team, which consists of vice skip Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner, has compiled a record of 4-1 in the trials thus far.

Zezel and Landsteiner are younger, but they were paired together at the U.S. National Championships and received bronze in each of the past two years. They will be counted on in more complementary roles in this setting, which should suit them well.

Isaacson emerged as a champion in the 2010 Olympic trials but was part of a team that placed 10th in the Olympics in Vancouver, along with Shuster.

This quartet seems to be meshing together the best amongst the men so far, and with Shuster's pedigree, his past experience with Isaacson and the combination of fresh talent, hope is on the horizon for the USA.

Women's: Team Brown

On either side, skip Erika Brown's bunch likely has the best chance to shine and make the podium in Sochi.

Brown is a seasoned veteran at age 40, first competing in the Calgary Olympics in 1988. She has also won gold medals at U.S. National Championships in each of the past three decades.

However, her team experienced a setback in the double round-robin tournament, losing to the formidable team led by Allison Pottinger by a score of 9-8.

As Nick Zaccardi of NBCSports.com points out, the top two teams will face each other in a best-of-three format to determine the trials winner beginning on Friday.

Thus, there is still time for Brown and Co. to get on track. Debbie McCormick, Team Brown's third, skipped the 2010 Olympic team in Vancouver, which finished just 2-7 and in last place.

Now that Brown is back, McCormick can put that setback behind her and play her part in what has been called, per Zaccardi, USA curling's "All-Star team" along with second Jessica Schultz and first Ann Swisshelm.