The coach’s decision to manage this the way he has is, regretably, a poor reflection of him as a manager. First he overthinks Brazil and rather surprisingly supplants Solo with Scurry. The youthful and cocky Solo spouts off (which actually suggests that Coach did not well enough position this change with Solo / team in the first place). After Solo cracks, coach then turns to his leaders to make a decision and hides behind their skirt, for both the decision and the presentation. Weak weak weak. Manage through it and head on, protecting the interests of all your players, including an emotional Solo. Every day that the US WNT team does not publicly and rapidly reconcile with Solo, receiving her apology, accepting it, and forgiving her for her youthful and pouty arrogance, is another day thay reflects worse on the organization and team. The world sees this and smells it. Coach and the US WNT can claim a moral high ground, but this is a mirage. The moral high ground is reconciling with your players across a fracture that was created primarily by an emotional player that felt both slighted and pissed off at the loss. It was wrong and she owned it. The fact that she is spouting off, however, is another data point into how this process was managed. Unfortunately, this decision and approach to boot Solo reflects worse on the organization and leadership. Management 101. My daughter and I have been mesmerized by the team, although even she recognizes that there are erasers on the end of pencils for a reason. People make mistakes and own up to them. I am seeing a picture presented of a one-sided injury, but the story associated with that picture indicates otherwise. Man up Coach. Disappointed in California.

Greg Ryan’s comments to the press on the process that needs to take place have been those that you would have expected from a child not a grown man. He obviously knows he blew it and is using Solo’s remarks as a smoke screen to hide behind. He should publicly apologize for his coaching error and then aplogize to the team and Solo for making this more about him than the country and team he was chosen to represent. I can forgive Solo for her remarks coming right after a humilitating defeat to Brazil(better to have waited til after the tournament). However, everyday that Greg Ryan is allowed to remain the coach is another day lost in preparing for the Olympics in 2008. How can this team trust him?

I don’t know Hope Solo personally but, I don’t think a majority of people understand how important it was for her to play in the world cup for the memory of her father. I know that this is a “team sport,” however I think the better part of her personal interest and what has happened to her recently lead to the public blow up. I love the passion that Hope displayed and I give her tremendous kudos for saying exactly what was on her mind instead of the mindless and stupid politically correct patented response that everyone in America has come to expect and believe. I think that Hope was dead on with her analysis of the coach and the other keeper. Ryan should know better than to mess with the chemistry on a high profile competitive program. This is not smart in any pro or amateur sport and especially in women’s sports where team chemistry and getting along with fellow players is much more important then in men’s sports. It should not be over looked that Ryan not only made a mistake with Solo, but made several tactical and substitution blunders throughout the world cup. Why didn’t we try to hold possession and build our attack in the midfield instead of looking like a limited 3rd division team that can only try to hit long balls over the top and hope for a set piece to score on? Why didn’t we use our bench more? Why did Kristine Lily play so much when it was apparent that she just wasn’t a big factor anymore? Why did Ryan substitute defensive players in the Brazil game when it was apparent that we needed to score goals? Not ripping Ryan for this one, but where is the outrage about the officiating? The Brazil game was a joke and showed how bias the international community is against the U.S. The game was totally one sided with the U.S. not only playing against a formidable opponent but also the officiating crew. The center official from that game should be disciplined and not allowed to do another international game!! That’s right boys and girls it’s not politically correct to voice your disapproval during the game or to publicly blast someone who actually deserves it in the media!! Instead, let’s isolate a great player who speaks out and actually speaks the truth. K. Lily and the rest of the supposed leaders from the team should be embarrassed by their treatment and reaction to Solo. How ironic is it that Solo was isolated and silenced for speaking out while she was in of all places China? Not to mention that she was playing for the United States of America. Maybe it’s just me, but there appears to be something wrong with my black and white TV? Perhaps I just need a new modern HD TV and I would be able to see things just right. NO, I THINK THAT’S JUST WRONG!!!