The London Olympics opening ceremonies are Friday, but the games started today, with the US Women's National Team defeating France 4-2 in an exciting soccer match in Glasgow, Scotland.
The American women are favored to win gold for the third straight time, but they fell behind 2-0 in the first 15 minutes.
They then rallied with goals by Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan in the first half, and two more by Carli Lloyd and Morgan again in the second.
But I agree with Mark Ufford of SB Nation that midfielder Megan Rapinoe was the player of the match.
More, below.
Like many, I became a Pinoe fan after her amazing long cross to Wambach's head in the waning seconds of last year's World Cup quarterfinal against Brazil -- for the latest goal in World Cup history.
Today, she had two assists, on the Wambach and Lloyd goals, and a semi-assist on the final goal by Morgan.
As Ufford noted, Rapinoe "was fantastic all game long, ... all over the pitch, controlled everything on the right side, great vision, great passing, two assists plus another goal that was due to her vision."
Another reason to root for Rapinoe came two weeks ago, when she came out as gay right before her first Olympics.
And explained it wonderfully.
People probably guessed that I was gay because I'm pretty transparent in the way that I live my life.
I think it's pretty cool, the opportunity that I have, especially in sports, because there's really not that many out athletes. I think it's important to be out. It's important to stand up and be counted and be proud of who you are.
I'm happy if I can help anyone else in their struggle. I'd like to make a positive impact on people.
Really, what's not to like about Megan Rapinoe.
And also the rest of the remarkable WNT -- the best women's soccer team in the world.