Watching the U.S. women playing in front of good crowds and signing autographs for admiring fans these past few years reflects what they encountered during the first Women’s World Championship (it wasn’t the World Cup then) in 1991. They were besieged by adoring Chinese fans at nearly every training session, and Carin Jennings Gabarra was once surprised as she stepped out of the shower by a maid standing in her room. The soaking wet, stark naked player duly signed the requested autograph. Brandi Chastain remarked after scribbling dozens of autographs for the young people who flocked to the U.S. players as if they were rock stars, “It just never stops, and isn’t it great?” American players remember coming home from China to a virtual vacuum. That vacuum has been filled in the ensuing years, by sponsorships and funding and endorsements and national TV coverage, but can USA ’99 kick off what many see as the next step: a women’s pro league? A league itself is no panacea. The Scandinavian countries have had women’s leagues for more than a decade, as has Germany, but popular interest remains minimal in club ball. Japan’s women’s league couldn’t sustain the costs of paying foreigners, and is now open only to Japanese players. MLS is drawing up plans for a women’s league. But it is not the NBA, whose backing of the WNBA has spurred expansion to 16 teams. Still, USA ’99 will draw crowds and television coverage sufficient to attract investment in a women’s pro league. Women’s soccer is destined to struggle in most nations; here, it can flourish. Finding enough good players and persuading significant fans to attend regularly are the biggest obstacles, yet none of this seemed possible in 1991. Back then, who would have thought Nike would dedicate a building to Mia Hamm? FANS, LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEW Click here to log onto (Soccer) American Graffiti. Then click on the topic titled “YOUR VIEW: Then and now” and respond to Ridge Mahoney in 200 words or less. Best responses may be reprinted in Soccer America Magazine. If YOUR View is selected, we’ll send you a cool T-shirt and pin… Because You’re FANATIC.