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By Laura Pappano

Suddenly, the story lines need tweaking.

Admit it: We had resigned ourselves to remembrances of the 1999 Women’s World Cup. Who didn’t watch grainy video highlights and years-later interviews with players and wonder if the Dawn of US women’s soccer and its Golden Age were one and the same?

There may be hundreds of little girls playing soccer in towns across America. We may have seen a professional women’s league born, die, and resurrected. But just because we could provide a living (sort of) and a showcase for the best women’s soccer in the world, could we – Team USA – contend? Really?

Was all the talk about a US underdog team just – well – to whip up interest? Did anyone believe?

The US-Brazil game offered some lessons, reminders — and raises some questions (is refereeing adequate?)

1. Women’s USA soccer is as good as it’s ever been, despite the retirement of greats like Michelle Akers, Kristine Lilly, Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain.

2. Women’s soccer is riveting entertainment. It offers athleticism, talent, and intensity to rival any sporting event. Anywhere.

3. Abby Wambach still rules. She’s clutch.

4. Hope Solo IS the real deal.

5. Refereeing in soccer is problematic. In such a low-scoring sport (unlike basketball or football), critical judgments can be game deciders. Team USA overcame the red card and the troubling call to redo the PK, but it does make you wonder: Are there enough eyes on the field to make calls accurately enough (remember the men’s World Cup?) Flopping is annoying, but it exists for a reason: Refs often can’t REALLY tell. Is it time for TV review in World Cup soccer?

6. Stoppage time, it turns out, can be a lot more than a game of a keep-away on the way to the inevitable end.

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• 2011 FIFA Women`s World Cup

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