Sweden’s players celebrate after a quarter-final match of the women’s Olympic football tournament between the United States and Sweden in Brasilia Friday Aug. 12, 2016.
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She is one of the most recognizable faces of this U.S. team, which is the reigning World Cup champion and had won gold the previous three Olympic tournaments.
Full Hope Solo quote on Sweden after United States was eliminated from the Olympics today.
Sweden had only beaten the United States five times before Friday’s quarterfinal meeting, which the team won 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
“The best team did not win today, I strongly, firmly believe that”.
USA manager Jill Ellis refused to back her goalkeeper’s post-quarterfinal comments.
Sweden heads into a semifinal match against host Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.
Sweden’s Coach Pia Sundhage, the former Team USA skipper who led the Americans to gold in 2008 and 2012, fired back at her former goalie.
It’s curious, then, where Solo learned a tactic she used that was – at best – a breach of sportsmanship.
Sweden took the lead in the 61st minute, when Stina Blackstenius beat United States of America defender Julie Johnson on the counter-attack and slid a shot past goalkeeper Hope Solo. “I’m really bad at it”.
Even after three rounds, Sweden captain Caroline Seger beat Hope Solo, and Christen Press’ attempt against Hedvig Lindhal went over the net.
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 by Lisa Dahlkvist.
Hope Solo’s assertion that Sweden played like “a bunch of cowards” in upsetting the USA on Friday has not exactly gained much support.
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.
The Swedes stymied the powerful American attack and advanced to the women’s soccer semifinals at the Olympics, leaving the US team empty-handed and with their earliest exit from a major tournament. But … we won the game. We defend very well. And the fact that.it went to penalty kicks says something about our defending. The only times the Swedes formulated much of an attack were counterattacks on USA slipups.
On the other hand, coach Sundhage might know the American women’s soccer team better than anyone except current coach Jill Ellis, led the US squad to Olympics Games victory in 2008 and 2012 before she returned to her homeland.
“It’s always hard to swallow losing in PKs”.
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Manual added, “It means a lot especially with what is going on in the world today”. “Nope Solo.” We get it! This team is not going to crumble. “In any case, they won, they proceeding onward and we’re going home”. It’s been a busy couple of years.
