"I'm not happy with it, but it is the coach's decision and I have to be there for my team," replied Hope Solo regarding not getting the start prior to the U.S. women's soccer team's semi-final World Cup match against Brazil.
Fair enough. I can understand not being happy about being sidelined for the most important match of your career. And she seemed to understand that she still had a responsibility to support her teammates and be prepared to contribute in a positive way.
After hearing her post-game interview, it is quite clear that she did not grasp that concept.
I watched her interview make the rounds on ESPN several times after the game was over and became increasingly disappointed each time I heard her bark those disparaging words. Publicly calling out your coach, no matter how wrong he was, isn't a good idea; nor is slighting your teammate--especially if she is one of the most decorated keepers in the world.
Prior to the game, head coach Greg Ryan said Solo is a very talented keeper who will lead this team many years into the future. Now that future has become unclear for the young keeper. I think Julie Foudy's comments were right on and I would venture to say that many members of the U.S. team agree with her:
"It is an unwritten code of conduct that you don't do that to a player. This is a coach's decision so, if anyone, she could have made Coach Ryan the villain but instead she chose to attack a player, Brianna Scurry. To make the decision to go in front of a camera, if I'm a player-I don't think I want Hope in goal behind me."
For a team that has always been far removed from controversy, the loss on the field and the heated debate off the field made it the most regrettable day in the history of the United States women's national team.
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gary
its unfortunate that hope solo comments take the heat of of the coach who because of whatever reason chose to change goalies days before the semi final game. solo should get blasted for her comments but ryan should get fired for his horrible coaching decisions. Because of him, he put womens soccer back 10 years and that is not solos fault.
Lee
in response to: gary
At this point, I hope Ryan got fire over his bad word cup performance. Solo, she can slowly joint back to the team. Sometimes, a little steam like this is good for WUSA sport. Otherwise, it will be boring............. GO HOPE SOLO GO........
MyTwoSons
Since when did USA Womens Soccer Team become the Hope Solo Soccer Team? She should be banned from ever participating in USA Team Sports. Did the coach make a bad decision? No one knows! Unless you were able to rewind the game and insert Solo. Was it Brianna Scurry's fault that the goals were scored? NO! It was the WHOLE TEAMS FAULT! If the other team doesn't have the ball, they can't score.
chris
The simple fact is Hope Solo is the better goalie at the present time. Yes Scurry was 12-0 vs brazil, but Hope hadn't lost a national team game in 5 years. When you add that she was playing for her dad that died in July (maybe June i cant remember) she wouldn't have allowed all 4 goals, would she have pitched a shut out, who knows? If you don't know about her dad look it up she sprinkled some of his remaining ashes in her box before every cup game. Sometimes you shouldn't break a good thing. Call me superstitous.
Guest
She didn't say anything about Scurry. She criticized the coach and said she would have made the saves. She's better than Scurry at this point. She hadn't lost a national team match in forever. The rest of the team wants her to not be behind them because of what she said? That makes them sound like a bunch of little crybabies. All she did was tell the truth. I can't believe Solo is taking all this heat for saying something that everyone in the world who knows anything about soccer knows is the truth. If Ryan leaves her in goal, the US wins the world cup. Instead he plays a keeper that he hasn't played in the tournament. The results speak for themselves and prove Solo's words true/
Guest
1. Hope Solo did NOT bash Bri Scurry - clean out your ears and listen again.
2. Hope Solo has an ego (thank god: so did Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson, Joe Montana, Richard Petty, Phil Esposito, Franz Beckenbauer, etc.), so what? If she didn't think she could stop those shots, I'd kick her off the team for that.
3. The team played without any spark in front of Scurry. Because they hadn't played with her in 3 months?? The possibility definitely exists that the own goal might not have been scored because the defenders had been used to playing with Solo and her positioning tactics.
4. Let us also remember that the U.S. played with only 10 players for over half the game because of a very questionable (wrong) call. The ref's bad call seems to have gotten lost in all of this.
5. Ryan is probably a very good COLLEGE level coach. But he is no TEAM motivator at what is a PROFESSIONAL level of play. You don't shove **** like "not speaking out about your teammates" down the throats of professionals. It may work in college, but not at this level.
6. Lilly dissed Solo by giving Scurry the captain's arm band toward the end of the Norway game. Where was her reconciling "Team Spirit"?
7. I hope that Hope moves back into the professional ranks and lets the National Team depend on all that up and coming goalkeeper talent that's waiting in the wings. The National Team leaders deserve it.
Phillip
in response to: Guest
A lot of people rather listen to the media spin than think for themselves. Hey did Beckham ever state in public that his team in a WC was plalying poorly? Yup. Many times. Jordan, Pipen, magic, bird, Peyton, Shockey, Maradona, Schmeichel, Kahn, Keano etc. They all have. A lot.
You have this in every team sport. The media is an outlet where a player can push the envelope. Coaches use it too. The thing is when a male athele does it it's ok.
Ex: Joe Porter complained about not playing enough on 3rd downs. Is he implying that he's better than the other guy who did play? Sure he is. Is he attacking the coaches decision? You bet. The other player is just collateral damage and that's how it goes. He's not affraid to say it, because the media isn't going to spin the "you shouldn't hurt your teamate's feelings in a team sport".
Fact is, in the history of sport you got more than plenty of cases like this. However when a male athele does it, the media tend to be focused and subjective on the matter, rather than play it at a different angle. When a women does it, they don't have to focus, just spin it so it sells.
I never write on here but I have a few things to say about the United States Women's team. If you didn't know, the UNited States recently lost to Brazil...and they lost pretty bad. I have played soccer for a good portion of my childhood, but never followed the United States for a couple reasons. First off, the whole crying thing, needs to stop. Stop whining, stop drowning your fans in needless tears and please FOR THE LOVE OF GOD....STOP ACTING LIKE LOSING ISN'T POSSIBLE!!!! It's written on the entire teams face. You are on a ridiculous winning streak and BAM, it gets broken. Here's a thought, stop trying to be superior and wake up and smell the roses. There is a war going on across the world, children are dying, people are hungry and homeless, and Hope Solo is whining about being benched. Let me say this...okay Hope you're good, we all know that, but regardless if it was a bad call or not...SIT DOWN AND DEAL WITH IT. You are in the midst of playing soccer around the word, and meeting different ethnicities and cultures. Who the heck cares if you lose or not. Do you know how many young girls envy you. To play around the world, to touch the field elite soccer players do is a gift. And one you should not take for granted. As far as coach Ryan goes.....uh oh...he might have made a bad call!!! Of course..we all know he must be the only one right?! Until you go to coaching school and are at that level, then let the man do his job. Here we go, let's gang up on the coach for making a bad call. SO WHAT...AGAIN..GET OVER IT!!!! Last but not least, the comments about Brianna Scurry were inaapropriate and Hope knew that. Let me tell you to, the immaturity showed thru pretty well this time on Hope's part. You are a professional soccer player and you need to act like one. The comments about Briana again, cant be revoked, and no matter what, was a direct BASH to her. IN closing, Id like to make it clear that I do not dislike the U.S team, because IM sure someone will say that. But I will say that Hope Solo needs te be removed from the team, because it clearly shows the lack of maturity present in her. The comments about Brianna were disgusting, and Hope, here's something to chew on ....you might think living for the moment is beneficial to you, but your attitude reflects your poor decision and lack of sportsmanship for Brianna.