London Olympics what to watch today: Women's soccer, USA vs. France
USA vs. France: Olympic soccer begins today. Watch USA women take on France at noon Wednesday.
The US women's soccer starters pose for pictures before their friendly match against Canada, June 30, in Salt Lake City. (Top from left; Alex Morgan, Lauren Cheney, Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, Rachel Buehler, Tobin Heath. Bottom from left; Amy LePeilbet, Kelley O'Hara, Christie Rampone, Shannon Boxx, Megan Rapinoe)
Colin E. Braley/AP
The Opening Ceremonies may not be until Friday, but Olympic play begins today in Glasgow, Scotland with women's soccer.
Team USA, led by captain Christie Rampone, will play France at noon (EDT). The game will be streamed live at nbcolympics.com, and broadcast on NBCSN, NBC's cable sports channel (check with your local cable provider for the listing).
The match should be a good one; although the US is favored to win the gold medal, France finished fourth at last year's World Cup, and is riding a 17-game winning streak.
"It won't be that easy for the USA to win against us," France's coach Bruno Bini told the Associated Press. "It will be a really tough match."
Members of the US team said they were proud to playing one of the first matches of the Olympic Games, even though it means they will miss the Opening Ceremonies in London.
"I would love for this team to experience an opening ceremonies because you kind of get that feeling of what the actual (Olympic) Games are all about, with all the other countries and meeting different athletes from your own country," Rampone said. "At the same time, getting to start it off with that first match of the Olympics is something special as well. We'll celebrate it together, and watch the opening ceremonies."
Great Britain also plays New Zealand at noon (EDT).