It would be foolish to declare the battle won. Although the Canadian women are undoubtedly the story of the Olympics for Canada, soccer has been to this point before.
In 1986 when the country went to the big dance and pushed the game from the fringes, in 2000 when an unexpected trophy helped create a generation of fan that would go on to fill MLS stadiums in three cities, and in 2002 when a young Christine Sinclair came a crossbar away from winning a world youth championship. All contributed to a game that continues to make strides but has yet to fully break through across the country.
Soon, Christine Sinclair and Co. will be, if not forgotten, then faded in the collective memory on the nation. It will be another generation – the generation inspired by this bronze medal run – before the total breakthrough will happen.
For now, Canadian soccer will need to take joy in its victories -- both big and small -- in the knowledge that they increasingly resonate beyond the soccer community.
One of the biggest victories would be for Christine Sinclair to carry the flag at the closing ceremony. Canadian fans are doing their part to make it happen, starting a campaign on Twitter to make their case.
It's a good case. Playing over the duration of the Games, Sinclair has become the most talked about athlete. She is skilled enough, has a medal and would represent the team as a whole, which would make a lot of people happy. It's probably fair to suggest that she is the favourite right now to win the honour.
However, it isn't a sure thing.
There is a degree of politics involved in selecting who carries the flag and what the public wants isn't always what the COC wants.
Gender and language politics are the biggest two factors. The COC likes to rotate between genders and English and French athletes.
Sinclair is half-way there. A male Anglo, Simon Whitfield, had the honour at the opening ceremony.
There are some that believe that only a gold medalist should carry the flag. So far, there is only one – Rosie MacLennan.
However, MacLennan loses out on another front the COC likes to factor – lifetime achievement. MacLennan will have more Olympics. She seems unlikely to get the honour.
Sinclair is hard to handicap on that front. Her resume is incredible, but the Olympics are only a small part of it.
That's not the case for the woman who is perhaps Sinclair's biggest competition – diver Emilie Heymans.
She fits the politics profile of Franco and female and has won a Canadian record of medals in four straight Olympics. Although her profile is much smaller, she actually fits the history much better. If the COC stays true to past form, Heymans will be the one.
Think of Sinclair as the populist choice, Heymans the Olympic establishment choice. Although it's a different kind of establishment. Heymans participates in an event where the Olympics provides her only opportunity for glory. Sinclair does not. it's likely that the COC will consider that when making its decision.
The truth is that either is a fine choice. Clearly the soccer community would love to see Sinclair as the pick, but it should also recognize that there are other choices that would be worthwhile.
If Sinclair isn't picked, direct the energy at lobbying for her to win the Lou Marsh Award and to be a Ballon d'Or finalist.