A question to be answered later

There will be a lot of recriminations from the rout that the US women suffered at the feet of Brazil in the World Cup semifinal.  Some of it is starting now, starting with Hope Solo's comments.

I might touch on some of that in the coming days, but on the dawn of a new era in women's soccer one question has lingered in my mind:  Is the USA on the verge of becoming the women's soccer equivalent of Uruguay -- a side that once dominated the game and from time to time produces excellent players, but is no longer the power it once was?  Or is it about to become an Italy - a team that was dominant in the beginning and also produces excellent players, yet consistently remains as one of the favorites every four years? 

I know that the question appears longwinded, but it's really simple -- are the US women about to become another Uruguay, or another Italy? 

I'm out of town for 24 hours, but when I return I hope to give my response to that question.  In the meantime I'd appreciate any comments that you might have.

(And congratulations to Brazil -- since the 2004 Olympics it's always been a matter of 'when' rather than 'if'.  And their achievement is especially impressive considering how little support women's soccer receives from the national federation or the broader society.)

Comments

[ERic]

Italy.

Especially if WUSA II/WMLS gets going. We have such a large population of women athletes that there's now way for us to get worse than we are. And it will be a long time before other countries catch up, let alone surpass.

We've lost in the semifinals before to a good team.