Making predictions about the future of women’s soccer is risky business these days. We predicted the big crowds and the generous media coverage at USA ’99, but who could have ever anticipated what took place on July 10? Years from now, millions of American women will be able to tell you where they were the afternoon when the U.S. and China met at the Rose Bowl. It was easy to say that the U.S. women would fade from the national consciousness as fast as Dot Richardson, the shortstop and budding doctor, did after the ’96 Olympic softball tournament? And a women’s pro soccer league’s chances of succeeding could have been dismissed for any one of a dozen reasons. But all that was before July 10. Our little world of American soccer has been turned upside down and may never be the same. Look for some changes to the order of the American scene, or at the very least some major battlegrounds: ò Within hours of the U.S. victory, ads were out announcing a Christmas indoor tour by the “All-American Soccer Stars.” A U.S. women’s barnstorming tour. It raises the legal issue of U.S. Soccer’s control over the sanctioning of soccer events. ò The battle for Nike’s “Project 2010” money will intensify. A case for a 50-50 split of the money will be made. After all, the women have “the pony-tailed hooligans,” the masses of competitive girls players who formed the backbone of the U.S. fan base. They are the most powerful army of U.S. support ever assembled, making Sam’s Army look like a platoon. ò Finally, the U.S. Soccer Foundation in Washington should get a knock on the door soon. If it has a (still unpaid) loan to MLS covering startup costs, why can’t those building a women’s league get some money of their own? FANS, LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEW Click here to log onto (Soccer) American Graffiti. Then click on the topic titled “YOUR VIEW: Some money of their own” and respond to Paul Kennedy 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.