Ousted United States goalkeeper Hope Solo aimed furious
criticism at coach Greg Ryan after her replacement's bungling
display in the World Cup semifinal hammering by Brazil.
The two-time champion on Thursday crashed out 4-0, its heaviest
World Cup defeat and first loss in 52 matches, with recalled
'keeper Briana Scurry questionable for three of the goals.
"It was the wrong decision," Solo fumed. "Anybody that knows
anything about the game knows that. There's no doubt in my mind I
would have made those saves."
Scurry apparently failed to call in the 20th minute, when Leslie
Osborne headed a corner into her own net under no pressure. The
goalkeeper got a hand to Marta's first goal and allowed her second
to squirm beneath her body.
The 36-year-old veteran's surprise recall was apparently based
on her impeccable record against Brazil including match-winning
heroics in the 2004 Olympic final.
But Solo, 26, who conceded just two goals in the previous four
matches, slammed Ryan for living "in the past."
"It's not 2004 any more, it's 2007 and you have to live in the
present," she said.
"You can't live by big names. You can't live in the past. It
doesn't matter what somebody did in the Olympic gold medal match
three years ago."
Ryan has rejected criticism over the decision and denied Scurry
was at fault for any of the goals.
"I have no regrets with Briana starting," he said. "There was
nothing she could do about any of the goals."
Ryan has not yet announced which goalkeeper will start Sunday's
third-place play-off against Norway.
(China Daily via AFP September 29, 2007)