04/16/24
August 12, 2016
Hope Solo Calls Sweden 'Cowards' After U.S. Loses Quarterfinal: U.S. women's national team goalkeeper Hope Solo added to her controversial Olympics reputation by calling Sweden "a bunch of cowards" for the strategy they employed in defeating in a 1-1 draw settled by 4-3 penalty kicks. "Sweden dropped off. They didn't want to open play. ... They dropped into a 50. ... I think it was very cowardly. But they won. They're moving on, and we're going home."
She should have been booted off the team long ago.
posted by sbacharach at 08:43 PM on August 12, 2016
Solo's getting shredded on Twitter. A lot of American fans don't appreciate the way she's embarrassed the entire team with this response.
Considering all the opponents who've had to endure disappointment against the U.S., it's a real shame Solo had so little grace in defeat.
I can remember a Canada team that lost after a penalty was awarded because the keeper took too long to make a goal kick. Can you imagine the thermonuclear explosion if that had happened to Solo instead?
posted by rcade at 10:30 PM on August 12, 2016
Iceland played like this in the Euros, and they were lauded as courageous and heroic. It's part of football.
posted by owlhouse at 12:34 AM on August 13, 2016
Julie Foudy weighed in, and covers the situation pretty well, referring to Solo's comments as "...ridiculous and classless".
posted by tommybiden at 10:09 AM on August 13, 2016
Hope Solo is not the founder of ISIS. But we could say she was if we wanted to.
I want to watch a replay of the shootout to see what Dahlkvist might have done to freeze Solo during the clinching PK. Which was fitting as Solo had previously tried to ice the Swede with a glove change.
If someone got Coach Sundhage loosened up on Akvavit, it would be interesting to hear what she might have to say in all candor about her old pal Hope.
I personally found the Australia-Brazil match more compelling and was amazed that the Matildas were able to hold off the constant Brazilian danger for 120 minutes of field play. They stood tall. I don't think I've ever seen the Aussie women underachieve.
Figured that Australia had a good chance heading into the shootout with the way Williams had been playing in net.
posted by beaverboard at 10:23 AM on August 13, 2016
Looks like Pia Sundhage shoved it back in Hope's face: "It's OK to be a coward if you win."
Hope got a head start on the Olympics with her mocking of Brazil related to the Zika virus, including a selfie of her in a bug-screen helmet while holding a bottle of bug repellent.
posted by jjzucal at 02:21 PM on August 13, 2016
Solo has been dominant for so long, it will be really tough to unseat her. The next big tournament is 3 years (WWC France 2019). Solo is 35 and will be 38 for France 2019, so not out of the realm of possibility that she could still be starting GK in France.
She did give up 3 goals on 5 shots (not counting PKs) in her final 2 games in Brazil. One goal was an obvious mistake. The other two goals made her look average, definitely not as dominant as she once was.
Solo's Zika comments also hinted at wanting to start a family. Now would be a good time to start with no major tournament in next 2 summers and she would be almost 40 after the next Olympics.
With the way the women's schedule works, I think now is a great time to start grooming a Solo replacement and let them battle for starting job in 2019.
posted by prof at 03:31 PM on August 13, 2016
Bigger story, or perhaps non-story ...
Sweden players don't call Hope Solo a sore loser.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:13 PM on August 13, 2016
Iceland played like this in the Euros, and they were lauded as courageous and heroic
Cristiano Ronaldo hits out at "small" Iceland after Portugal are held.
At least Hope's in good company.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 12:15 AM on August 14, 2016
Do we have a keeper who can do to Solo at 35 what she did to Breanna Scurry at that age and shove her into international retirement? As good as Solo has been, I'm tired of the immaturity.