In a statement released on Wednesday, US Soccer said the suspension was handed down because of Solo’s controversial comments following a penalty shoot-out loss to Sweden in the quarter-finals of the women’s football tournament at the Olympic Games in Rio.
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A statement from the federation on Wednesday evening read: “US Soccer has suspended goalkeeper Hope Solo from the US women’s national team for six months for conduct that is counter to the organisation’s principles”.
“The best team did not win today”.
During a post-match interview, she snapped: “I also think we played a bunch of cowards“. I think it was very cowardly.
It was the first time the US failed to reach the semifinals of a Women’s World Cup or an Olympic tournament. “My entire career, I have only wanted the best for this team, for the players and the women’s game, and I will continue to pursue these causes with the same unrelenting passion which which I play the game”.
As a result of her suspension, Solo will not be eligible for selection to the U.S. national team until February next year.
Her previous suspension in 2015 followed an incident during the national team’s training camp in which she was riding in a auto with her husband, former NFL player Jerramy Stevens, when he was stopped and charged with DUI. “I strongly, firmly believe that”.
The 35-year-old labelled her opponents “a bunch of cowards” after they defeated the US on penalties following what she perceived to be a defensive performance in the quarter-finals of the women’s football tournament in Brazil. We came back from a goal down.
In response, Solo retweeted Sports Illustrated’s full transcript of her much-discussed quote and admitted that she’s not the best loser.
However, US Soccer have also terminated her contract, which the New York Times seem to reckon is a “strong signal” that Solo may have played her last game for her country.
Solo, who is one of the most decorated players in U.S. soccer history, has represented the U.S.at three Olympic Games, winning two gold medals, and three straight World Cups, but she will not be eligible to play for the U.S. Women’s National Team until February 2017. We expect all of our representatives to honor those principles, with no exceptions.
Asked why she called the Swedes cowards, Solo replied that she wasn’t impressed with their tactics.
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Rich Nichols – executive director of the United States women’s national soccer team players’ association – announced the body will challenge the ban. But they won. They continue, and we were going home, “she added, while the USA, the great favorites of the appointment of Rio, had won the last three Olympic titles”.
