In this episode, soccer fan Alex Bleuel and I preview the women's Olympic football tournament, which starts tomorrow.
First, we look at the most anticipated game with old rivals Sweden and the USWNT meeting to start Group G. In their last Olympic meeting, Sweden broke America's hearts on penalties in 2016. Tomorrow's game is the latest encounter of a rivalry that has become quite common at World Cups and Olympics.
We break down what to expect tomorrow in Tokyo. We look at the US trio of Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Tobin Heath. While the US will go into tomorrow's game as a favorite, Sweden recently drew in an April friendly and will not fear facing the reigning World Champs Afterwards, the US will play New Zealand and Australia in Group G. We also look at which players and nations could give the US a challenge. We also look at how fatigue will affect all teams with six matches in a short period of time. We also look at the USMNT most important and players they cannot afford to lose at the Olympics.
We also look back at our favorite Olympic football memories. I start by saying that Brazil's Formiga will be competing in her seventh Olympics. Alex responds with the Americans winning the gold at the first women's Olympic tournament over China at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
He also remembers seeing his favorite player, Alex Morgan, score the game-winning goal in a dramatic 4-3 win for the US over Canada at the 2012 London Olympics. We also remember Neymar and Brazil winning the men's gold medal in 2016 over Germany.
Finally, we each pick who will win the gold medal in women's football. Alex likes the USWNT while Big D is picking the Dutch to win.