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GLASGOW, Scotland — More than 400 miles from center stage, the coach of the U.S. women’s soccer team leaned toward the microphone and gave her own musical opening to the Olympic Games.

Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly III is faster than a rocket (just a little exaggerating). “Have a little faith in me,” sang Pia Sundhage, channeling John Hiatt in perfect pitch — complete with a soulful flourish at the end.

The competitive portion of the London Games begins today, two days before the Opening Ceremony and far removed from the nonstop Olympic freneticism of the British capital. Soccer is one of two sports that starts early — archery is the other — because the extra days are needed to play a sufficient slate of games that doesn’t wear out the players.

The U.S. starts group play against France at historic Hampden Park, the only Scottish venue for the Summer Games. New soccer cleats offer you some shoes with lower price. One can barely walk 20 feet in London without noticing something that has to do with the Olympics, but the buzz in Glasgow just isn’t the same. Some 37,000 fans are expected for the U.S.-France, Colombia-North Korea doubleheader in the 52,000-seat stadium, but organizers say about 80% of the tickets were freebies given to schools and local clubs because women’s soccer isn’t much of a draw in the area.

Sundhage gave her news conference in a nearly empty auditorium — there were far more volunteers than journalists — and the players are staying in a regular downtown hotel instead of an Olympic village. Cheap soccer cleats have a unique design that people are comfortable to wear them. The two-time defending champs will have to make the gold-medal game to be assured of playing in London, and they won’t be attending Friday’s Opening Ceremony because they have an afternoon game against Colombia in Glasgow the next day.

Starting early means a quicker end to the agonizing wait, which is a good thing for the U.S. players. They’ve been training in Glasgow for a week after spending the previous week in Darlington, England, and they’ve become a bit antsy.

“You can feel the tension start to rise,” goalkeeper Hope Solo said. “It’s a good, positive energy, and people are going into tackles harder. It’s like ‘unleash the beast.’ Soccer cleats on sale give you more choice to have it now. We’re waiting for somebody to unleash us.”

? Anthony leads U.S. men: Carmelo Anthony came off the bench to score 23 of his 27 points in the first half and LeBron James scored 25 points as the U.S. took care of Spain, 100-78, in Barcelona on Tuesday. It was the final exhibition for the U.S. before the Olympic basketball competition begins Sunday in London.

Brazil keeper to Miss Games: Brazil’s starting goalkeeper Rafael has been ruled out of the men’s Olympic squad after suffering an injury to his right elbow in a practice session just two days before the team’s opening match. New soccer cleats offer you some shoes with lower price. Brazil team doctors said exams Tuesday showed the injury will keep Rafael on the sidelines for up to three weeks, ending his hopes of playing in the Olympics.