And the Matildas stand to be major beneficiaries from the Americans’ exit.
Advertisement
Hope Solo never claimed to be a graceful loser.
Describing her own team’s play as “courageous”, Solo said “I also think we were playing a bunch of cowards”. Midfielder Lisa Dahlqvist’s conversion in the fifth round of penalty kicks gave the Sweden the 4-3 tiebreaker win, handing the US its earliest elimination in major tournament and ending the team’s quest for a fourth-straight gold medal. Asked to elaborate on what she meant by cowards, Solo referenced Pia Sundhage, the Swedish coach who formerly coached the United States and won two Olympic gold medals. And they tried to counter with long balls. Second, Solo’s comments show a fundamental misunderstanding of how soccer is played these days.
It’s curious, then, where Solo learned a tactic she used that was – at best – a breach of sportsmanship. The United States dominated possession and finished with 27 shots, but Sweden scored on a counterattack in regulation – one of only two shots on goal it had in the game. The delay brought a small smile to Dahlkvist’s face, before she easily beat Solo with the game-winning tally.
“I don’t think they’re going to make it far in the tournament”, she added. Certainly. Did they have some divine right to win it for having played the more majestic soccer? No.
There was widespread criticism of Solo on social media following her comments.
Solo’s half-sister about the alleged incident in June 2014 which saw. The charges eventually were dismissed. And it’s a team’s job to find whatever ways of winning it can to get the game won.
Until Friday’s loss, the reigning World Cup champions and four-time Olympic champions had not dropped a match this year. They had not lost in 14 straight Olympic matches dating back through the 2004 Athens Games.
This loss ended a 14-game unbeaten streak, even if it wasn’t all Solo’s fault. Morgan fluffed her try and it was easily batted away by Swedish keeper Hedvig Lindahl. Christen Press took the fifth USA penalty and sailed hers well over the crossbar when a strike would have put the Americans at advantage.
Advertisement
She also indulged in what appeared to be blatant gamesmanship on Friday by calling for a new set of gloves immediately before Sweden’s decisive penalty. I thought we had many opportunities on goal, ” Solo said. I think you saw America’s heart. Morgan tied it when she converted from in front in the 76th minute. American Carli Lloyd’s header was disallowed for what was either an offside or a penalty, left unclear by the referee. “There’s no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves”, she said. They didn’t want to play great soccer. “Such is life, and such is sport”.
