In 2002, Canada's Christine Sinclair and Brazil's Marta emerged as world class stars of women's soccer for the next dozen years and beyond.

In 2014, the expectation is that it will be Lindsey Horan.

Which is to say you have one more chance to watch the girl many believe will emerge from this FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup to become a major name in the game.

If you were at Commonwealth Stadium Tuesday, it was hard not to notice No. 10, the tall striking blonde striker with the pony tail wearing the pink shoes.

Horan made herself available for about a half a dozen excellent opportunities, failing to convert any of them, and then failing to tinkle for over an hour after the game when she was the random selection for a visit to doping control.

It just wasn't her night as she missed all those chances in a 2-0 loss to Germany, in a rematch from the final of the last FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan.

“Obviously I'm a little disappointed with myself because I couldn't finish those and capitalize on them. But I'm just happy overall with the way our team played. Our whole team created a lot of opportunities. Creating those opportunities is a really good step for us.”

Being projected to come out of here as a special player is a pressure none of the other teenage girls in this tournament have to deal with.

“It's a neat thing to hear,” Horan said of people projecting her to be Sinclair and Marta coming out of here this year.

“But I'm here with my team, so it's a whole team thing,” insists the Golden, Colorado girl.

“Every time my team steps on the field, it's for each other. It's not going to focus on one player.

“I don't get opportunities and chances to finish crosses without my team-mates. I'm doing everything for them. I'm working hard for them and they're doing the same thing for me.”

With 21 goals in 22 appearances at the U-20 level going into the tournament, just four fewer than the rest of her team combined, she's obviously the straw which stirs the drink. Keep her off the scoreboard and, well ... Germany 2 USA 0.

If the predictions for Horan to emerge from this tournament to take her first major international step toward stardom are to come true, it figures she'll likely have to take that step in Friday's 8 p.m. game against Brazil.

If the defending champion Americans lose that one they'll be 0-2 in the Group of Death pool where Brazil and China put a point each in the standings with a 1-1 tie in the other game Tuesday. (The Americans play China in Moncton and Brazil plays Germany in Olympic Stadium in Montreal Tuesday to complete group play.)

“Lindsay gets herself in spots to get those opportunities,” said coach Michelle French.

“I know she is going to be frustrated that she wasn't able to put one of those away, but being the professional she is, she's going to get up for the next game.”

Professional is the correct word.

Horan has been a pro since she's been 17.

While top young players from many countries in the world have accepted scholarships to play in the U.S. colleges, including some in this tournament, Horan went the other way.

Instead, at age 17, she chose to go play pro in France with Paris St. Germain.

“A few years ago I got the chance to go train over there. The opportunity just kind of arrived for me out of that.

“I spent a year deciding whether I wanted to go or not and ultimately it was my dream.

“I think I was just following my heart, thinking what was best for me at that moment and I don't regret a thing.”

She was reported to have signed a six figure deal with Paris St. Germain two years ago and recently had the contract extended for another two years.

She said both the level of the league and playing a different style of soccer has helped her develop.

“We play a game every week and when we are in Champions League we'll have games midweek. In the French league there's five or six top teams right now, which is really good and then we play Champions League and the French Cup and we're getting a lot of experience playing top clubs, so that's been great.

“And I think the French style of football is completely different than the American style so it was cool to adapt to their kind of culture and learn so many things there.”