Olympic Soccer 2016: Updated Men's, Women's Group Schedule and Predictions
Although the 2016 Olympic Games opening ceremony isn't until Friday night, the men's and women's soccer tournaments are already underway.
Every team has played one game to this point, which is huge considering there are only three group-stage matchups before the knockout round. Any squad with a loss or even a draw could have a lot of ground to make up if it wants to stay alive.
The medals won't be handed out until the final few days in Rio de Janeiro, but here is what you need to know going forward as the top teams in the world fight for gold.
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Women's Tournament
| 1 | Brazil | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 2 | Sweden | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | South Africa | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 4 | China | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 0 |
| 1 | Germany | 1 | 0 | 0 | +5 | 3 |
| 2 | Canada | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 3 | Australia | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| 4 | Zimbabwe | 0 | 0 | 1 | -5 | 0 |
| 1 | France | 1 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 3 |
| 2 | United States | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| 4 | Colombia | 0 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 0 |
| Aug. 6 | Canada vs. Zimbabwe | 2 p.m. | F |
| Aug. 6 | United States vs. France | 4 p.m. | G |
| Aug. 6 | Germany vs. Australia | 5 p.m. | F |
| Aug. 6 | South Africa vs. China | 6 p.m. | E |
| Aug. 6 | Colombia vs. New Zealand | 7 p.m. | G |
| Aug. 6 | Brazil vs. Sweden | 9 p.m. | E |
| Aug. 9 | Australia vs. Zimbabwe | 3 p.m. | F |
| Aug. 9 | Germany vs. Canada | 3 p.m. | F |
| Aug. 9 | Colombia vs. United States | 6 p.m. | G |
| Aug. 9 | New Zealand vs. France | 6 p.m. | G |
| Aug. 9 | South Africa vs. Brazil | 9 p.m. | E |
| Aug. 9 | China vs. Sweden | 9 p.m. | E |
| Aug. 12 | Quarterfinal 1 | Noon | - |
| Aug. 12 | Quarterfinal 2 | 3 p.m. | - |
| Aug. 12 | Quarterfinal 3 | 6 p.m. | - |
| Aug. 12 | Quarterfinal 4 | 9 p.m. | - |
| Aug. 16 | Semifinal 1 | Noon | - |
| Aug. 16 | Semifinal 2 | 3 p.m. | - |
| Aug. 19 | Bronze-Medal Match | Noon | - |
| Aug. 19 | Gold-Medal Match | 4:30 p.m. |
There is no question which team came into the tournament as the favorite. In the five Olympics featuring women's soccer, the United States has won four gold medals and one silver. The squad is also coming off a World Cup victory in 2015.
With perennial contenders such as Japan failing to qualify for the event, Team USA has an even greater chance of winning in Rio.
ESPN Stats & Info broke down the team's chances going into the Games:
There is no reason to change the predictions after a 2-0 win over New Zealand on Wednesday to open the tournament. Captain Carli Lloyd kicked things off with a goal in the ninth minute, which midfielder Tobin Heath felt was vital.
"That was the best way we could have started," Heath said, per the Associated Press (via NBC Olympics). "We came out with a lot of energy and a lot of determination. I think in that regards we put our best foot forward and got that goal and I think that helped propel us throughout the game."
The bigger test will come in Saturday's matchup against France, Les Bleus winning their first game 4-0 against Colombia. If the United States wins Saturday, it would be in great shape heading into the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, Brazil and Germany both got off to strong starts in their respective groups with wins on the first day of matches. Both teams should be able to win their groups and put themselves in ideal positions heading into the quarterfinals, but nothing is guaranteed at that point.
With the United States having the most experience and the deepest lineup, the squad should be able to finish the tournament on top.
Predicted Winner: United States
Men's Tournament
| 1 | Brazil | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | South Africa | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Iraq | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Denmark | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | Nigeria | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 2 | Sweden | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Colombia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Japan | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 1 | South Korea | 1 | 0 | 0 | +8 | 3 |
| 2 | Mexico | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Germany | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Fiji | 0 | 0 | 1 | -8 | 0 |
| 1 | Portugal | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | Honduras | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | Algeria | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 4 | Argentina | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| Aug. 7 | Fiji vs. Mexico | Noon | C |
| Aug. 7 | Honduras vs. Portugal | 2 p.m. | D |
| Aug. 7 | Germany vs. South Korea | 3 p.m. | C |
| Aug. 7 | Argentina vs. Algeria | 5 p.m. | D |
| Aug. 7 | Denmark vs. South Africa | 6 p.m. | A |
| Aug. 7 | Sweden vs. Nigeria | 6 p.m. | B |
| Aug. 7 | Brazil vs. Iraq | 9 p.m. | A |
| Aug. 7 | Japan vs. Colombia | 9 p.m. | B |
| Aug. 10 | Algeria vs. Portugal | Noon | D |
| Aug. 10 | Argentina vs. Honduras | Noon | D |
| Aug. 10 | Germany vs. Fiji | 3 p.m. | C |
| Aug. 10 | South Korea vs. Mexico | 3 p.m. | C |
| Aug. 10 | Colombia vs. Nigeria | 6 p.m. | B |
| Aug. 10 | Japan vs. Sweden | 6 p.m. | B |
| Aug. 10 | Denmark vs. Brazil | 9 p.m. | A |
| Aug. 10 | South Africa vs. Iraq | 9 p.m. | A |
| Aug. 13 | Quarterfinal 1 | Noon | - |
| Aug. 13 | Quarterfinal 2 | 3 p.m. | - |
| Aug. 13 | Quarterfinal 3 | 6 p.m. | - |
| Aug. 13 | Quarterfinal 4 | 9 p.m. | - |
| Aug. 17 | Semifinal 1 | Noon | - |
| Aug. 17 | Semifinal 2 | 3 p.m. | - |
| Aug. 20 | Bronze-Medal Match | Noon | - |
| Aug. 20 | Gold-Medal Match | 4:30 p.m. |
Although each game matters, it's also important not to overreact to one set of matches.
South Korea looked dominant in its opening performance, pulling off an 8-0 blowout of Fiji. It was close for the majority of the match, but three goals in under two minutes broke things open, as NBC Olympics showed:
Of course, Thursday's result had more to do with Fiji's struggles than South Korea's dominance. The goal differential will go a long way, but you can expect Germany and Mexico to also put together quality wins over Fiji as well.
On the other hand, teams that struggled Thursday might not be in as bad shape as they originally thought. That includes Brazil, which managed only a scoreless draw against South Africa.
Journalist Miguel Delaney was one of the many who were mocking the host nation's struggles:
Despite the poor showing, Brazil still has as much attacking talent, including Neymar and Gabriel Jesus, as anyone else in the tournament. It also helps that the weak Group A remains in a four-way tie after the first matchday, meaning there is plenty of time to pull away.
Argentina is in rougher shape after a 2-0 loss to Portugal in its first match, but the squad could still earn a spot in the quarterfinals with a pair of victories against Algeria and Honduras.
In reality, all that matters is finding a spot in the knockout stages. From there, it's about getting hot and winning three matches to earn the gold. Assuming Brazil can figure out its chemistry and feed off the hometown fans, it should come away with the title.
Predicted Winner: Brazil
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for year-round sports analysis.
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