So-so start by U.S.

The U.S. Women's National Team got the necessary result and hardly broke a sweat against Greece's bunker defense in a 3-0 victory played at Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion, Greece on Wednesday.

Yet, it hardly resembled a performance of a side that's going to win Gold in the Athens Olympics.

Despite commanding the tempo of the game and spending most every minute of the match in Greek territory, the U.S. came away empty on too many golden opportunities.

There were several bad touches, poor passing in the final third of the field, long balls sent up the field when it wasn't called for, and moments where players held onto the ball way too long on the attack in one v. one situations or even when numbers were against them.

These were mistakes that can be made against Greece, and most likely again on Saturday against Brazil. But as April Heinrichs' side learned last fall in the Women's World Cup, average finishing and attacks that feature several crosses hoping to find the head of Abby Wambach that ultimately find the goalkeeper's hands or get knocked out of the box will not suffice against a team like Germany. A side -- oh by the way -- that dismantled China 8-0 on Wednesday behind the four-goal performance of former Carolina Courage star Birgit Prinz.

Of course, there were several bright spots in the victory, which gives reason to think that this U.S. squad is stronger and an improved version of the won that settled for the third place last October.

Here are five observations from Wednesday's match:

1. Aly Wagner appears to be back

After a disappointing 2003, the former All-Everything at Santa Clara appears to be much more active both offensively and defensively in her role at the top of the midfield diamond in Heinrichs' 4-4-2 system. She even made a few runs out to the flank, which gave the U.S. a different look at times, especially in the first half when Greece was struggling to find marks.

Wagner didn't make any wild runs at the defense or go on the attack by her lonesome, but her stabilizing presence in the midfield and quick touches opened the doors for her teammates. She nearly snuck in a goal for her troubles early on, as well, when she knocked a shot off the bar in the early minutes of the match.

As this team moves on in the tournament, Wagner's role will be more vital.

2. Greece should have been more physical

The host country never wants to be less than gracious, but in this case the situation called for more rough play from the Greek side. Even though Greece was able to keep the game at a very respectable score and leave the field feeling pretty good about themselves, it's a wonder why they didn't play with a more aggressive nature against a side that was obviously much more skillful and athletic.

Even when nine players -- yes, nine players -- were defending inside the 18-yard box at one time, too much space was allowed for players such as Wambach, Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly. On another day, the score could have been six or seven to nothing with that type of defending.

3. Markgraf was on the mark

Maybe it was the name change or the extended stay at residency in Los Angeles this past spring and summer, but Kate Markgraf has shown much improvement on the left side. When Sobrero was her last name, there were many times when she ran around her left foot to play her stronger right foot. That's hardly the case now, though, as the veteran defender played several superb balls with her left foot to Lilly up the same side of the field, as well as across the back of the defense when the call was to switch the point of attack.

Her forays up the flank helped open up the game, too, which resulted in the second goal for the Americans when she served a perfect, in-swinging ball to Wambach with her left foot that the 2003 U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year nodded over the goalkeeper's head from about 12 yards out.

After arriving on the scene in 1998 as an awkward, but powerful and effective, defender who ultimately started as a center back next to Carla Overbeck in the 1999 World Cup, Markgraf has blossomed into one of the top two or three backs in the world. And she's only getting better now that she's added a hint more sophistication to her game.

4. Does Foudy still belong in the 11?

This is a lingering question from last fall. And one that no one wants to bring up, for some reason.

Julie Foudy deserves the attention along with the rest of the '91ers in their last tournament together, and she probably remains the right choice to be the team captain. There might not be a bigger leader in women's sports, in fact.

But is it time for Heinrichs to move her to the bench?

Foudy didn't have a bad match against Greece, yet she wasn't a big factor, either. It's just hard to see players like Cindy Parlow and Lindsay Tarpley come off the bench and not wonder if one of them should be included in the starting unit.

Parlow's inclusion over Foudy would mean going to their old 4-3-3 system that's been used for several years by both Tony DiCicco and Heinrichs, and gives the team added offensive firepower, not to mention create additional matchup problems for every team in the world.

Having Tarpley in there over the U.S. captain would give a college junior some much-needed international experience at this level, as well as give the side another creative player on the attack. Who wouldn't like to see her and Wagner combine in the midfield?

No one is writing the obit for Foudy, but it is something to think about for Heinrichs as the tournament rolls on.

5. Why in God's name is Mia retiring?

Number nine is playing the best soccer of her life right now. Whether it was her breaking down of Greece's defense to set up the team's first goal, her quick, left-footed strike that found the corner of the net to close out the scoring, or the overall dominating performance she turned in against China last week, the world's leading goal scorer needs to keep playing.

This isn't the case of anyone slowing down - no one works as hard or is as active on the field as Mia Hamm. This isn't the case of having her skills diminish, as she's more creative and dynamic than she was in the nineties when she could rely solely on her athleticism and nose for the goal. And this also isn't the case of age, since Nomar Garciaparra's better half is a mere 32 years old.

Re-think this decision, Mia. You're allowed to. Sugar Ray Leonard did it, what, 13 times? We're willing to give you a mulligan, here.

Marc Connolly covers American soccer for ESPN Soccernet.com. He can be reached at: marc@oakwoodsoccer.com