Five of Soccer America’s eight editors pick the United States to return with its second women’s soccer gold medal. As for the U.S. men, they could reach the quarterfinals, but no medal is forecast.

Bryan Alvarez

Men’s Soccer

Gold: Italy.
Silver: Nigeria.
Bronze: Brazil.

Women’s Soccer

Gold: USA.
Silver: Norway.
Bronze: Brazil.

The U.S. women will win ugly in a tough group, then put it together in the semifinals and final, winning with their best soccer of 2000. MLS experience will help the American men but get them nowhere. They’ll tie for second in Group C but fail to advance on goal differential.


Dean Caparaz

Men’s Soccer

Gold: Italy.
Silver: Cameroon.
Bronze: Japan.

Women’s Soccer

Gold: Norway.
Silver: USA.
Bronze: Brazil.

Bente Nordby has an amazing tournament and shuts out the U.S. women in the final, while the host Matildas’ fourth-place finish sparks talk of another calendar. Clive Charles is offered the San Jose Earthquakes job after the U.S. men tie three games, but he returns to Portland.


Scott French

Men’s Soccer

Gold: Italy.
Silver: Cameroon.
Bronze: Brazil.

Women’s Soccer

Gold: USA.
Silver: Norway.
Bronze: Brazil.

More gold for the American women, who will continue to struggle up top but make up for it with outstanding defense. They’ll finish second in group play but handle Norway when it most counts. The American men will find Group C deadly, with the Czechs and Cameroon taking advantage of their defensive failings.


Paul Kennedy

Men’s Soccer

Gold: Cameroon.
Silver: Spain.
Bronze: Brazil.

Women’s Soccer

Gold: USA.
Silver: Norway.
Bronze: Brazil.

The fate of the two American teams is determined in the first round. Once again, the American men get no luck with the draw. If April Heinrichs’ women can get out of the first round, they should win. Even without Michelle Akers, they have more matchwinners than any other team.


Will Kuhns

Men’s Soccer

Gold: Nigeria.
Silver: Brazil.
Bronze: Australia.

Women’s Soccer

Gold: USA.
Silver: Brazil. Bronze: China.

It will not be pretty, it will not be dominant, but April’s women will show true grit in capturing their second gold. The U.S. men break new ground by getting into the second round but fall to Brazil. The Olyroos become one of Australia’s Cinderella stories, but Nigeria rides its stars to glory.


Ridge Mahoney

Men’s Soccer

Gold: Italy.
Silver: Brazil.
Bronze: Japan.

Women’s Soccer

Gold: China. Silver: USA. Bronze: Germany.

The U.S. men reach the second round through the spectacular goalkeeping of Brad Friedel and timely goals by Josh Wolff but are knocked out by Brazil at the quarterfinal stage. For the women, China finally goes all the way and beats the United States in a major tournament.


Poul Swain

Men’s Soccer

Gold: Brazil.
Silver: Spain.
Bronze: Chile.

Women’s Soccer

Gold: USA.
Silver: Norway.
Bronze: Sweden.

The U.S. women will emerge from their scoring funk in Australia and eke out a 1-0 win over Norway in a forgettable final. Tiffeny Milbrett will emerge as the Games’ scoring queen. The U.S. men will have a tougher time of it as their defense comes apart at the seams.


Mike Woitalla

Men’s Soccer

Gold: Brazil.
Silver: Cameroon.
Bronze: Italy.

Women’s Soccer

Gold: China.
Silver: USA.
Bronze: Brazil.

I’d have taken Nick Garcia and Carlos Bocanegra to bolster the U.S. defense, but I like the young U.S. attackers enough to imagine good results against the Czechs and Kuwait. The young American pros, complemented by some Brad Friedel heroics, will reach the second round. Then they’ll need lots of luck.