The high ranked United States team had gotten past the quarterfinals in seven World Cups and earned silver in five previous Olympics Games.
Advertisement
That prompted the United States of America goalkeeper being provoked with cries of “Zika” at each goalkick by Brazilian fans amid the World Cup.
Though the tactic has worked for Solo in the past, an unperturbed Dahlvist calmly converted to end the USA dream of a fourth straight gold medal.
The attention for the team event was much more focused simply on fencing – and Muhammad reminded folks why she made the Olympic team in the first place.
The veteran goalkeeper fired a withering verbal assault on the Swedish team, who dumped the three-time defending Olympic champions out of the quarter-finals on penalties on Saturday morning (AEST).
US goalkeeper Hope Solo isn’t happy after Team USA lost to Sweden in a penalty shootout Friday. “I’m very proud of this team”.
“I was really optimistic”.
“I don’t give a crap”, she told reporters after the game. They will next face host Brazil on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro. Canada, the bronze medalists from London in 2012, will play Germany in Belo Horizonte.
Canada maintained their flawless record in Brazil to set up a semi-final with Germany in Belo Horizonte thanks to Sophie Schmidt’s victor in a 1-0 win over France. “It brings out the best of me, at least, when I play against the U.S”. “I think we showed a lot of heart”, Solo told Wahl. She also knew that her team is limited going forward and had scored just twice in the group stage, barely squeaking through to the quarterfinals as the last team to qualify, with a 1-1-1 record and a minus-3 goal differential (courtesy of a 5-1 demolishing by Brazil).
“I thought we played a courageous game”, Solo said.
“And I also think we played a bunch of cowards”.
Her sentiments that “The best team did not win today” were followed by a post on Twitter admitting, “Losing sucks”.
Solo can also believe that few will miss her irascible presence in Rio.
While Morgan Brian was bossing the midfield, Lloyd was the heart of the offense and she had more chances.
After giving up the winning penalty kick to Sweden, Solo called her opponents “a bunch of cowards” for their conservative game plan.
The U.S. came out early with intent and in the 4th minute, they fired a warning signal, Carli Lloyd with a lovely pass that doesn’t quite reach the wings but comes out for a corner. She made it personal, adding, “We had that style of play when Pia was our coach” and topped it with, “I don’t think they’ll make it very far in the tournament”.
Solo did not take kindly to the defeat.
The match between the USA and Sweden was the first women’s game ever to go to penalties.
US star Hope Solo didn’t mince words after. Only Norway has been able to stop the USA string of golds, winning at the 2000 Sydney Games.
Fox Sports and Big Ten Network analyst Danielle Stanton, another former Solo teammate, said Solo needs to learn from the loss. USA forward Christen Press’ attempt then went over Hedvig Lindahl’s net. A smiling Dahlkvist then kicked the ball past her to clinch the win.
The United States was able to battle back after a 1-0 deficit with a goal from Alex Morgan that tied the game 1-1. “We were only listening to each other, and I just kept hearing ‘Just get one”.
“Can I criticize or knock someone for their tactics?”
Sweden had won only five matches against the United States. The last time the two teams met in the Olympics was at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Advertisement
Unsurprisingly, Solo’s words didn’t sit well with Swedish Coach Pia Sundhage.
