Jere Longman on the WUSA's failure.

"Even with good intentions of starting a women's league, investors have acknowledged they made mistakes. The first was hiring Barbara Allen, a former Quaker Oats executive, to be the league's initial chief executive. She knew little about soccer, commuted from Denver to WUSA headquarters in New York the first season and proved an ineffective leader. She left after one season."

"Sufficient television exposure also proved elusive. Most games last season were broadcast on the PAX network, not a traditional sports channel. And, officials conceded, the league never really decided who its target audience should be - young girls or traditional sports fans."

But there is hope.

The possibility of reviving the W.U.S.A. was left open if sufficient sponsorship can be secured in the coming months. "I haven't given up," said Mia Hamm. "I believe too much in the product and players."