U.S. soccer’s Alex Morgan will pose in body paint in SI swimsuit issue

As if you didn’t know, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue comes out on Tuesday: and the cover will be announced on tonight’s Late Show With David Letterman, as is the tradition. It’s just like Christmas Eve. The odds-on favorite, from what I’m reading, is SI Swimsuit sophomore Kate Upton … but don’t count out double threat (she’s also a Victoria’s Secret model) Cintia Dicker.

But we do have one bit of news about the 2012 issue: U.S. women’s soccer team star Alex Morgan will be included, in the body paint feature. Here’s a sneak look at her photo.

More photos of other cover candidates here. And here.

We’ll let you know as soon as the curtain falls on Letterman tonight.