Sundhage returned to coach her homeland’s team in December 2012, and the US has not won against Sweden since.
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Hope Solo, never afraid to speak her mind, called the Swedish women’s soccer team “cowards” Friday after the Swedes knocked the US out of the Olympics in a penalty kick shootout. When congratulations to the underdogs that beat her 4-3 in a shootout were in order, Solo instead blasted the conservative defensive approach of the Swedish women, telling reporters in Brasilia that “We lost to a bunch of cowards”.
The United States women’s soccer team went three and out on Friday, bringing to an end a remarkable era of Olympic glory. I strongly believe that.
The United States women’s soccer team was eliminated by Sweden in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals Friday. They next will face either Australia or host Brazil. I think we showed a lot of hear. It sent the game to penalty kicks, which figured to favor the USA with Solo in front of the net and two of the game’s top scorers in Morgan and Lloyd, the reigning world player of the year, taking its shots. With the next kick, Lisa Dahlkvist beat an outstretched Solo for the win.
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. And that Sweden had been “a bunch of cowards” because “they didn’t want to play great soccer”.
The 35-year-old was booed by sections of the crowd during the quarterfinal for this gesture, and her post-match comments were met with equal disdain by Sweden’s former United States coach Pia Sundhage. And then, there’s the high-profile labor dispute between players and the U.S. Soccer Federation.
“It’s hard to go back to back – that’s why no one has done it”, captain Carli Lloyd said.
Men’s and women’s team still undefeated: The U.S. men’s and women’s hoops teams both won again Friday. This is the first time in Olympic history that the US has not reached the Gold Medal Match of the women’s soccer tournament. The four-time defending champions are going home, and Solo is not happy about it. We won the game. This team is not going to crumble. They sat back as we expected them to do. It’s been a busy couple of years. “That’s why no one has won back-to-back”.
During that shootout, Solo held up proceedings at a crucial stage for a glove change that only managed to piss off the crowd and get no-one on her side.
A counter-attack was finished by Stina Blackstenius to give Sweden the lead shortly after the hour only for Alex Morgan to sweep home a loose ball with 13 minutes remaining.
After the match, Solo praised her teammates for playing a “courageous game” but slammed the Swedes in the same breath. It was the USWNT’s earliest-ever exit from an Olympics or World Cup.
“Really just heartbroken right now for the girls and the federation”. Alex Morgan’s shot was saved, and Christen Press’ shot sailed over the net. I wasn’t entirely convinced they would win gold but thought they would make it farther than they did.
To the growing contingent of others, I feel you. It is the first time at the Olympics that teams are allowed a fourth substitution in games that go to extra time. Sundhage was a player on the Sweden team that fell 2-1 to the Americans.
Sweden will play the victor of the Brazil-Australia Friday night, in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday. The Washington-born keeper was booed mercilessly by Brazilian fans angry at her comments on the Zika virus. Solo posted a picture of herself in mosquito netting and armed with insect repellant.
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It was a frustrating loss because we had the possession, the opportunities, and the shots on goal.
