Hope Solo Spoke Candidly

I agree the keeper looked liked someone pulled out of the crowd, unsure and weak. She was asked her opinion and she gave it.

Ms. Catherine Forsythe,

You really would like Solo to be on your team. Hmm. What is you are the other goalie? What if she trashed you like she did her teammates. The coach is not always right but he/she is the coach. Watch the video tape tell me she support her teammates. Nice try wanting her on your team.

I agree that speaking her mind was not all that bad. What was bad was that she called a teammate. If she had concentrated her comments on the coach, the person who made ill-fated decision, everyone would still side with her. But she broke the silent code of ethics and nothing short of a public apology should be satisfactory for her teammates. I’m sure she by this time she realizes that and everything will be settled.

Ms. Forsythe,

You are wrong. Brazil would have beat us no matter who was in goal. We were not prepared and did not have the desire nor determination to take it to the next level that Brazil exhibited. We couldn’t beat N. Korea and barely got by against Sweden and Nigeria (who ouyplayed us). Ms. Solo’s comments reveal that she is not a team player and show that she is selfish - it’s all about her. I base these observations on over 15 years of coaching experience at all levels of soccer to include coaching in Germany & Portugal.

Ms. Solo - you are benched.

The quesiton of making the change in keepers is the coaches and was made with consideration of each player as well as the other team. For Solo to state she “knows” she would have made those saves is inappropriate and her comments about her team mate were out of place, disrespectful and showed Solo’s character. One goal was an own goal - keeper certainly was not expecting it from her own player and was beginning preps for the next threat …. one goal was an unmarked player at the top of the arc collecting a nice pass and taking the keeper on one-on-one to the goal. Tough situation and one that Solo cannot “know” she woud save, maybe she could “Hope” she’d save it …. I doubt it would have been a win had Solo been in goal. Frankly, I doubt it would have been 0-0 too. The outcome of a loss would likely have been the same, though the score itself may (or may not) have been different. And, without doubt, Solo owes Bri an sincere apology and she owes the sport (and the kids that watch this team) an appology too. These athletes are role models for our youth - she needs to suck it up and be the role model that is required of the position. Accept with grace the decision of the coach and appologize to Bri, the coach, the team and the fans, parents and youth who wish to emulate her.

I completely support Hope’s comments. She was the keeper that got the U.S. Women’s team to the semis. I thought Scurry was just a memory. Hope Solo should have been on the field for the semifinals. It would have been the best decision that would have given the team continuity and confidence against Brazil. What was the coach thinking?!? When you are in charge of such a dominant team like the U.S. Women, you go with your best. Scurry was second a second string player that hasn’t played much in the last two years. Anyone who second-guessed this decision has every right to do so. Our women were visibly shaken up by this unexpected decision. Hope Solo would have made the important saves to win this game. Best of luck to you, Hope!!

From USA Today the last week of July.

” Having started 33 of the 43 games under coach Greg Ryan, recording her 24th career shutout July 14 in 1-0 victory vs. Norway in East Hartford, Conn., Solo is poised to lead the USA to the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China, Sept. 10-30. Saturday, the Americans will play Japan in the fourth of six send-off exhibitions at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, Calif ” Her’s the link:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/national/2007-07-24-hope-solo_N.htm?csp=34

US Soccer team is carried on Hope Solo’s back. She is a staunch competitor. It’s funny now how Kristine Lilly can say this in the paper:

” The circumstance that happened and her going public has affected the whole group,” said Lilly, the 36-year-old striker who is playing in a record fifth World Cup. “And having her with us would still be a distraction.”

Damned funny when Hope was carrying the team with so many shutouts she was OK. Now saying she would have carried the team to another win against Brazil, her teammates throw her overboard. Hope ought to give them all the finger and go play with players who aren’t so selfish and willing to hang her out to dry. The team is where they are because of Hope Solo’s saves at the Net.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I’ve read a LOT of these blogs over the past few days and NO WHERE did anyone understand exactly what happened on the first Brazilian goal. It came off a badly-performed corner kick. The replays clearly gave us a perfect view of Scurry’s incredibly poor play on this kick.

The moment the ball left the corner, it was obvious that it was a mis-kick that was going to bounce toward the near post deep into the goal box. Yet Scurry never moved. She just stood there, her mouth wide open but not a sound came out of her. The result was Osbourne was REQUIRED to go for the ball; she had no communication from Scurry behind her to do otherwise.

Solo would have instantly screamed “Keeper!!!” or “Leave!!!”, as she would have been rushing forward to capture the ball herself.

On this first goal, Solo was ABSOLUTELY RIGHT with her public post-game statement: she would have made the save that the slower aging Scurry could not. In fact, many younger talented well-trained keepers would have also made the play correctly.

And it was THAT goal that started the emotional downward spiral for the U.S. team for the rest of the game. Scurry demonstrated with that one play she no longer belongs on the national team.

One more time the u.s. team loses and nobody but the ill prepared, unexperienced coach is to be blamed.
The facts are overwhelmingly on Solo’s side.
She had gotten them here, I am sorry to say it about the rest of the team, but her performance was the best of the entire competition, prior and then.
In comparison with all the rest she was an A plus perfect to a C at best from the rest.
No other coach from any other country with winning the championship in mind as the reason for being there would have changed his or her goalie, especially if you are fortunate to find one as solid and respectable as Miss Solo.\ I wished you all had heard the comments from the latin american,French and Italian experts on the subject…one said the coach acted as dictatorial as if his next job ambition was to work in North Korea…maybe there he can execute those who voice their opinions right there on the field…ah and Kristie Lilly can be the executioning assistant…
Man the U.S. women have made international football what is is today, not the coaches!
Go Solo!! Those of us who understand associated football are with you all the way!
milton

I still can’t believe it , this was the worst move I ever saw in any sport
its like taking out Tom Brady out this sunday against the Cowboys
because it doesn’t feel right…..greg ryan blew it!!!!!

Ryan’s coaching was brutal through the whole Cup and he topped it off with his goalkeeping decision in the semifinals. Where the heck was Lindsay Tarpley? They needed her more.
Hope might have gone a bit far to call out of Bri, but she was right about the decision and to call out the coach. Of course, Lilly and the rest can’t be on her side publicly. It would be interesting to know how many privately think Ryan was a bonehead.