5 star players to watch at Rio 2016 women's soccer

Rio 2016 will feature some of the best women's soccer players from around the world, who will compete for gold in Brazil just one year after the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Some established names like Abby Wambach and Celia Sasic have retired, and new stars are ready to take their place.

Here are five players to watch at Rio 2016:

Carli Lloyd (United States)

Few players have been quite as dominant in women's soccer as Carli Lloyd has been for the better part of the last decade. The attacking midfielder has been a mainstay in the international scene since 2005.

Lloyd, who plies her trade with the Houston Dash, has made more than 200 appearances for the Stars and Stripes, scoring 88 goals. The New Jersey-born 34-year-old has two Olympic gold medals to her name, as well as a FIFA Women's World Cup title and the 2015 FIFA Player of the Year honour.

Marta (Brazil)

Among the stars in sunny Brazil, Marta shines as bright as any, and at home this year in Rio de Janeiro, the 30-year-old forward has a chance to finally capture international glory to cement her legacy.

With 109 appearances to her name and 103 goals scored, Marta has proven herself a prolific goal-scorer through and through. Her list of personal accolades is long, with five consecutive FIFA Player of the Year titles from 2006-2010 telling the story of one of the sport's finest players.

Though Marta has tasted some success at the international level, it has usually come in the form of consolation prizes. Brazil finished second in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup and took home silver medals in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics as well.

Christine Sinclair (Canada)

The pride of Canadian soccer, Christine Sinclair enters Rio 2016 on a mission of redemption. Perhaps it will even become a mission of vengeance.

At the 2012 Games in London, Sinclair - 230 caps for Canada, 162 goals - was denied her chance at Olympic glory at the hands of a U.S. team that she and other Canadian players claimed had been helped on by referee Christina Pedersen, who missed handball calls before awarding a late penalty en route to a 4-3 loss.

The Canadian women's bronze medal feels cheapened by controversy. Four years on, Sinclair, 33, is looking to right a few wrongs.

Dzsenifer Marozsan (Germany)

One of the most promising up-and-coming stars, Germany forward Dzsenifer Marozsan has already made 60 appearances and scored 29 goals at only 24 years of age, and is set to play an integral part in the team's offense at Rio 2016.

With Celia Sasic now retired, Marozsan will have more responsibility and playing time, and the Olympique Lyon newcomer will look to impress as Germany strives to earn a gold medal after winning bronze in 2000, 2004, and 2008.

Eugenie Le Sommer (France)

Speaking of Olympique Lyon players, Eugenie Le Sommer, winner of five consecutive French Player of the Year titles, carries France's hopes of Rio 2016 success on the shoulders of her diminutive 5-foot-3 frame.

She may be small, but Le Sommer has a big presence on the field, scoring 52 international goals in 116 games. This attacking midfielder featured as a depth option at London 2012, but has taken on a leadership role in recent years, starting in each of France's matches in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.