I've been debating whether to post something on the Hope Solo incident for a few weeks. It really has nothing to do with publishing though, so skip this if you don't like soccer. As for me, I am a rather rabid soccer fan. I watch at least three matches a week, and support both the Men's and Women's National Team vociferously.
The WUSNT didn't perform well in the World Cup, barely winning it's initial matches before losing to Brazil 4-0 in the semifinals. There also was significant controversy surrounding the recently fired coach, Greg Ryan, and Hope Solo, the goalkeeper. Solo had been the starting goalkeeper for the team for over two years and had a superb track record. Ryan then made the unprecedented move of switching goalies for the Brazil match. For chemistry reasons this is simply not done - the goalie acts as the manager for the whole defense and it takes time and practice to act as a cohesive unit. In addition, rustiness is very common for goalies - action in games is absolutely necessary to keep sharp. Finally, with the exception of only one goal, Solo had been superb for the team throughout the World Cup and in top form in every game she's played for more than two years.
So of course the team loses, and of course Solo says the switch was a mistake. You don't become a professional athlete by being a shrinking violet. Perhaps she should have kept her mouth shut (even though she was right), but what followed was in my opinion an even worse display of immaturity.
Check out Bonnie Ford's article on ESPN Soccernet for more.
The WUSNT didn't perform well in the World Cup, barely winning it's initial matches before losing to Brazil 4-0 in the semifinals. There also was significant controversy surrounding the recently fired coach, Greg Ryan, and Hope Solo, the goalkeeper. Solo had been the starting goalkeeper for the team for over two years and had a superb track record. Ryan then made the unprecedented move of switching goalies for the Brazil match. For chemistry reasons this is simply not done - the goalie acts as the manager for the whole defense and it takes time and practice to act as a cohesive unit. In addition, rustiness is very common for goalies - action in games is absolutely necessary to keep sharp. Finally, with the exception of only one goal, Solo had been superb for the team throughout the World Cup and in top form in every game she's played for more than two years.
So of course the team loses, and of course Solo says the switch was a mistake. You don't become a professional athlete by being a shrinking violet. Perhaps she should have kept her mouth shut (even though she was right), but what followed was in my opinion an even worse display of immaturity.
Check out Bonnie Ford's article on ESPN Soccernet for more.
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