I think it was very cowardly, but they won.
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The charmed run of the USA women’s soccer team came to an abrupt end Friday in Brasilia as Sweden upset the three-time defending gold medalists on penalties in the quarterfinals.
Full Hope Solo quote on Sweden after United States was eliminated from the Olympics today. “I thought we had numerous open doors on objective”, she said. She had learned from that loss, from trying to play with a better team. “I strongly believe that”.
The United States were the better team throughout but Alex Morgan and Christen Press missed penalties after the game ended 1-1 after extra time.
Post-match, Solo told reporters her side had played a courageous game and had a host of goal chances.
Sweden Coach Pia Sundhage, who coached the American team to gold in both 2008 and 2012, had stronger words for her former player. The Washington-born keeper was booed mercilessly by Brazilian fans angry at her comments on the Zika virus.
Later, Solo went to Twitter with a mea culpa of sorts: “Losing sucks”. “I’m really bad at it”. A smiling Dahlkvist then kicked the ball past her to clinch the win.
“I also think we played a bunch of cowards”.
Sweden scored against the United States in 61 minutes when Stina Blackstenius ran on to a defense-splitting pass and calmly slotted the ball past US keeper Hope Solo. Rather than play the ball over the ground, creating overloads on the flanks and cutting the ball back to their many attacking weapons, they offered the Swedes the kind of attack the tall and sturdy women were best equipped to defend. Sundhage was a player on the Sweden team that fell 2-1 to the Americans. They didn’t want to play great soccer. “Passions run very high, people say things they then regret”, International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said. “And the fact that there were only two goals and it went to penalty kicks said something about our defending”.
Sweden’s conservative style of play – ostensibly playing out the draw – was behind the Seattle Reign stalwart’s sour grapes.
As Sweden celebrated the victory, captain Carli Lloyd crouched in defeat on the field at Mane Garrincha Stadium.
“Solo went on to say she didn’t think “[Sweden is] going to make it far in the tournament. “Nope Solo.” We get it! This team is not going to crumble. “But they won. They’re moving on, and we’re going home”. It’s been a busy couple of years. And then a deep free-kick perfectly in the the box unable to find the back of the net, Sweden one minute from a much-needed halftime break. And after winning three Olympic gold medals, a World Cup title and setting all-time records for appearances (202), wins (153) and shutouts (102), there would appear to be little reason for her to stick around until 2019.
Today’s events are the long jump, the javelin and the 800 meters.
Russian Federation won its fourth fencing gold medal of the Rio Games in the final, beating Ukraine 45-30.
Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic missed a 3-pointer from the left wing with 2 seconds left that would have tied it, and Kevin Durant grabbed the rebound to keep the Americans unbeaten. They barely escaped against Australia on Wednesday. “It brings out the best of me, at least, when I play against the U.S”.
Moore scored 12 points, and the Americans clinched the top seed in the group with an 81-51 win over Canada.
Solo has regularly courted controversy and Friday’s incident was not even her first in these Olympics. Solo called for time, waved to the referee, peeled off her gloves and asked an assistant coach for another pair. “And we’re going home”.
The U.S. built a 25-15 lead after five matches, and Zagunis – who declined to speculate on her future in the immediate aftermath of her fourth straight Olympics – made that edge insurmountable.
AUTO ACCIDENT: A German Olympic canoe coach is fighting for his life after a vehicle accident left him with serious head injuries. As Simone became more accomplished, Sharron admitted she increasingly felt the cold stares and invisible barriers.
But there was no bigger upset – in a long time – than the US loss to Sweden.
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“You’ve got to be pumped if you win against the world champions”.
