OT: Hope Solo on Sweden

Submitted by uncle leo on

"We played a bunch of cowards."

Isn't she just wonderful?

[Ed-Ace: After deleting ten or more sexist/misogynistic comments I decided to lock the thread. We're serious about getting rid of this crap. Consider this a warning before accounts start Bolivia'd.]

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swalburn

August 12th, 2016 at 4:53 PM ^

I'm almost kind of sympathetic to people who sound off when a mic is shoved into their face after a tough loss (see Webber after either national title game) but she has lost the benefit of the doubt.  It has to be tough to lose on the big stage but she needs to show some class.

Joined: 11/24/2011

MGoPoints: 8025

Chuck Norris

August 12th, 2016 at 5:00 PM ^

"Sweden dropped off, didn't want to open play," Solo said. "They didn't want to pass the ball around. They didn't want to play great soccer, entertaining soccer. It was a combative game, a physical game. Exactly what they wanted and exactly what their game plan was. They dropped into a 50. They didn't try and press, they didn't want to open the game and they tried to counter with long balls. We had that style of play when Pia was our coach."

 

That's her full reasoning as to why they were "cowards." I will say that that style of play is oftentimes considered "cowardly", as it's used almsot exclusively when a team knows that it's outclassed man to man (or woman to woman). At the same time, it was a shrewd move and Solo needs to shut up, the US needed to take advantage of their opportunities and they didn't.

Joined: 07/15/2010

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Tex_Ind_Blue

August 12th, 2016 at 5:45 PM ^

It's usually called cowardly by teams who can't open up the opponent defense. Sweden didn't sit around in their half, they came up and attacked when they got the chance. What Greece did in 2004 Euro Cup could be considered cowardly. Today Sweden withstood a barrage from USWNT near the end of the regulation and fought back in the Extra Time.

Joined: 12/31/2014

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snarling wolverine

August 12th, 2016 at 5:46 PM ^

To be fair, it's not like Sweden did anything dirty.  They played defensively, looking to minimize the number of good chances for the U.S., while still managing to get on the scoreboard themselves.  After we tied it up, they reasoned, probably correctly, that the 50-50 odds of a penalty shootout were better than those of winning in an open game.

Our job was to grab the lead and force them out of their zone.  We couldn't do it.  

 

Joined: 12/14/2011

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Blue4U

August 12th, 2016 at 5:01 PM ^

many opportunities throughout the game.  The single goal in regulation was a perfect play by Sweden.  We were caught off guard and out of position on a counterattack.  Obviously she's showing some frustration (from last games poor goaltending and this loss) but she needs to learn how to lose with grace.  Sweden played a smart game, stayed close, capitalized on their opportunities and forced extra time.  In penalty kick time, anything can happen.  We had so many chances but couldn't finish.   

Joined: 09/13/2011

MGoPoints: 4616

Mr. Yost

August 12th, 2016 at 5:10 PM ^

At least his team advanced and won the whole thing...

Solo is a POS and the sorest of sore losers But she's not a dude so it'll blow over.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

East German Judge

August 12th, 2016 at 5:43 PM ^

I understand that, however, assuming that the shooter shoots on goal, the goal keeper has a 50-50 chance to block, given 5 attempts, they should score 2 to 3 goals on her.  She did let in 4, so at best she guessed wrong either 80% of the time assuming all 5 shots were taken, or if Sweden didn't need the final kick she guessed wrong 100% of the time today letting in 4 on 4 shots.  Not a good day for a world class goalie.

Joined: 10/05/2014

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BornInAA

August 12th, 2016 at 5:49 PM ^

If it's 50/50 like a coin flip the chances of going 0-0-0-0-0 or 1-1-1-1-1 are equal. Each new kick or flip does not depend on the last. So your argument is wrong.

However, I believe some keepers watch film on opposing kickers tendancies. So it should be completely random if a keeper does some homework.

Joined: 11/21/2009

MGoPoints: 14507

Michology 101

August 12th, 2016 at 5:52 PM ^

I can't defend Hope Solo's character as a person. Though I can't badly criticize her performance in the PK shootout. It's extremely difficult for a goaltender to stop many shots in PK shootouts. She did manage to stop one with a great block and almost blocked another. More times than not, when a goaltender does make a stop in that situation, it's just because they LUCKILY guessed the right direction the ball was being kicked toward. I mean, the net is so huge. If anything, one of our kickers totally missing the net was the main problem in that shootout.

Joined: 06/02/2014

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