The men's soccer tournament at the 2012 Summer Olympics began Thursday, and D.C. United's Andy Najar played a prominent role in its very first game. Najar, a midfielder for D.C. United whose family came to the United States when he was 13, started and played all 90 minutes of Honduras' 2-2 draw with Morocco at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.
Najar, who attended Edison High School in Alexandria, Va. and joined United's youth academy in 2008, was officially credited with two shots in the match, one of which was on goal. For more on Najar's performance, check out SB Nation's D.C. United blog, Black And Red United.
In the day's other match in Glasgow, Japan defeated Spain 1-0 in the first real stunner of the Games, with Yuki Otsu scoring the only goal in the 34th minute.
History was made at Old Trafford in Manchester, England as a Great Britain team took the field for the first time since the Rome Olympics in 1960. Wales' Craig Bellamy scored a first half goal for "Team GB," but Moussa Konate equalized in the 82nd minute for Senegal and the match finished 1-1.
Also at Old Trafford, Luis Suarez inspired Uruguay to a 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates. In Cardiff, Wales, Brazil defeated Egypt, 3-2, while Belarus defeated New Zealand, 1-0 in Coventry, England.
Both games at St. James' Park in Newcastle, England ended in draws, as South Korea and Mexico didn't manage any goals and the match between Switzerland and Gabon finished 1-1.
The men's soccer competition resumes with group play Sunday.
For full coverage of London 2012, head over to SB Nation's Olympics hub.