5 Women’s Soccer Players to Look Out For

The Olympics are almost here and we’re drooling with anticipation. The thing I love the most about the Olympics is that we watch sports that we never even thought about in the past and learn to appreciate them. It’s amazing how attractive some sports can seem when we witness them being performed at the highest level. One sport that has been on the rise recently is women’s soccer. The 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup was the most watched women’s world cup yet and even had Americans planted in front of their TV screens cheering on team USA. With more and more countries putting money into their women’s’ teams, we’re starting to see results. The talent level we see in the women soccer players these days are eye-opening. The 2011 World Cup grabbed the attention of most and you can believe that many will be watching the soccer tournament during the Olympics. In anticipation of this tournament here are 5 players you should look out for. This list is composed of players that I feel are either poised to burst onto the scene or anticipated to reach elite status.

5. Sarah Gregorius-Striker- New Zealand

The 24 year old Gregorius is already a star in her home nation of New Zealand. Those who follow women’s soccer have probably already heard of her. She scored the first goal for New Zealand in their opening match against England in the 2011 World Cup. People of New Zealand probably expected her to be a star when she scored a hat trick only a month after her debut for New Zealand’s senior team back in 2010. The problem for Gregorius is that she is a striker, which means that her success will mainly depend on the creativity of the midfielders. If her teammates can create opportunities for her, she surely will not disappoint. Gregorius is a good striker ready to become an elite striker. At the end of the tournament I wouldn’t be surprised to see her in the top 5 for goals scored.

4. Kosovare Asllani-Forward-Sweden

I’m not an expert on Swedish women but what I have learned about them so far is that for the most part they are really good-looking and really good at soccer. Well that is very true for the 22 year old phenom from Kristianstad, Sweden, Kosovare Asllani. Though her parents immigrated to Sweden from Kosovo she still fits the profile of a Swedish woman. Asllani grew up playing soccer and hockey but eventually chose soccer (THANK GOD). She was a child prodigy in Sweden when she was growing up. At age 15 she scored 49 goals in 49 matches playing for Vimmerby, a second divison team in Sweden. She made her debut for Sweden’s senior national team in 2008 when she was only 18 years old. With other stars from Sweden at the forward position such as Lotta Schelin and Jessica Landstrom, Asllani is usually a substitute but has still managed to score 5 goals in 31 matches coming off the bench. She has drawn comparisons to Sweden’s male superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Any soccer fan will tell you that’s a very high honor and definitely a billing that Asllani is capable of living up to. Look out for Asllani to breakout during the Olympics. Oh yea did I mention she was on bleachereport.com’s list of the top 100 sexiest female Olympians haha.

3. Saki Kumagai-Defender-Japan

This is probably one person a lot of Americans don’t want to see or hear about. Those of you who watched the 2011 Women’s World Cup final know exactly why I said that but for the ones who didn’t here’s why. Saki Kumagai is the one who scored the winning penalty kick for Japan as they claimed the World Cup title over the U.S.A. At the young age of 21 Kumagai has experienced the success of being a World Cup champion and faced a mini scandal in her home country. After Japan’s World Cup victory Kumagai was accused of criticizing the national team coach for how she treated certain players on the team and also accused of posting nude photos of a teammate on the internet. Despite the drama Kumagai is focused on making a huge impact for Japan in the Olympics as she did in the World Cup. She is a crucial part of Japan’s impenetrable back line with her great marking and tackling abilities. She is also an important part of their set pieces.  She has emerged into one of Japan’s top players and by the end of the Olympic tournament I expect her to be included in the conversation of the best female defenders in the world.

2. Maurine-Forward-Brazil

We all knew it was only a matter of time until I mentioned a Brazilian on this list. It’s no surprise considering Brazil is a country known for great soccer and beautiful women. Yes the 26 year old Maurine Dornelles Goncalves is a perfect combination of both but I ensure you her looks are not what got her on this list. Brazil is a team just loaded with talent including Marta who is without a doubt the best player in the world. With all that talent on one team it is hard to determine an order of the best player but when you look at Brazil’s 2011 World Cup team after Marta and Cristiane, Maurine was arguably the next best player on that team. Yeah yeah I know Formiga and Rosanna played great but Maurine’s defensive effort is what really stood out to me. She is a natural forward but she constantly comes back to help out defensively on the flank. After seeing her race up and down the left flank during that tournament I honestly thought she was a defender with an attacking mentality like Patrice Evra or Marcelo. Maurine is no stranger to the spotlight on and off the field (being a part time model and all) and she really knows how to rise up to the occasion. Maurine should be instrumental in Brazil’s quest for a major tournament title that has eluded them in the past.

1. Carmen Rodallega-Midfielder-Colombia

After watching the 2011 Women’s World Cup there were quite a few players that caught my attention and made me want to see them play again. The one that really stood out to me was the Colombian midfielder Carmen Rodallega. At the beginning of the tournament all of the hype was surrounding Colombia’s teenage phenom Yoreli Rincon. The world was excited to see the teenager emerge into one of the world’s elite as she dubbed the next “Marta”. Well Rincon did not quite live up to the hype but her teammate Rodallega seized the opportunity to show her skills. Rodallega ran tirelessly up and down the left flank for Colombia creating opportunities with her dribbling ability and great speed. She reminds me of the Portuguese midfielder Nani in how quickly she works her way up the flank and creates opportunities with flawless passes. Rodallega impressed many with her talent and if you ask me, Colombia’s opponents should focus more attention on her than Yoreli Rincon. If Rincon and Rodallega both play up to their potential Colombia should make some serious noise in this tournament and Rodallega should become one the world’s elite.

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