Rio de Janeiro: The Olympics body condemned comments from United States of America goalkeeper Hope Solo on Saturday after she called Sweden a “bunch of cowards” following her team’s defeat in the women’s football event at the 2016 Rio Games. “I thought we played a courageous game”.
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“They played more attacking football then we did”. “I think we showed a lot of heart”. “We came back from a goal down. Sweden didn’t play well in the group phase but the favourites must confirm its position on the pitch”, – USA’s exit came as a shock to many, including Germany coach Silvia Neid.
American women’s team goalkeeper Hope Solo Solo was also slammed by United States media for her comments.
“I’m always nervous about commenting on reports of reports, but if those were the comments, then it is disappointing”, Adams added.
The goalkeeper of the U.S. women’s national team said she was disappointed by the Swedes’ style of play.
The U.S. came out early with intent and in the 4th minute, they fired a warning signal, Carli Lloyd with a attractive pass that doesn’t quite reach the wings but comes out for a corner. They didn’t want to play great soccer. A physical game. Exactly what they wanted.
Fairly or not, few would be surprised that the worst act of sportsmanship at the Rio Games was perpetrated by an American athlete. And goalkeeper Hope Solo was seething over Sweden’s tactics, calling the team “a bunch of cowards”. But for once they didn’t go the whole way through. She’s also courted near-constant controversy, from her arrest in 2014 following a brawl involving her nephew and sister to her suspension after her husband was charged with DUI while driving a national team van to … oh, we’ve been over this all before.
Hope Solo was unable to save the U.S.in the shootout, meaning the trend of no reining World Cup champion ever winning Olympic gold continues. A tied score of 1-1 at the end of overtime led to a shoot-out, and Sweden stole the game from the heavily-favored Americans.
Hope Solo stood in front of the U.S.net Friday, desperately needing to block a shot.
Former USWNT teammate and ESPN analyst, Julie Foudy responded to Solo’s slight.
Sweden took the lead on 63 minutes through Stina Blackstenius, before Alex Morgan equalised with 13 minutes left. We won the game.
On Saturday, U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati told Sports Illustrated that Solo’s comments “were highly inappropriate and not in line with the expectations of U.S. Soccer or the ideals of the Olympic movement”. “I’m going to Rio (for the semifinals), and she’s going home”.
Coach Jill Ellis was feeling all those emotions when she rose to speak to her team in the locker room afterward.
The Sweden coach, Pia Sundhage, led the USA to gold and the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and was dismissive of Solo’s outburst.
“The best teams in the world have to deal with inferior opposition that bunkers in and defends”, former US men’s captain Alexi Lalas said on Twitter.
“I shook my head”, Foudy said. We defend very well.
Solo complaining about the USA essentially being outfoxed rings as hollow as an outsmarted kid accusing his vanquisher of cheating. Well, usually – especially with the Americans – a good team is when they’re winning.
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“You’ve got to be pumped if you win against the world champions”.
