Greg Ryan won't be back as manager of the US women's soccer team
after his contract expires at the end of this year, US Soccer
federation president Sunil Gulati said Monday.
Ryan, who took over the job in January of 2005, was sharply
criticized last month when he sat starting goalkeeper Hope Solo in
favor of Brianna Scurry, who allowed four goals in a 4-0 loss to
Brazil in the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup.
The controversy lingered as Solo's emotional and very public
reaction, in which she slammed Ryan for his "wrong decision" in
replacing her, saw her barred even from the US bench as the
Americans beat Norway 4-1 in the World Cup third-place match in
Shanghai.
Germany defeated Brazil to claim the women's World Cup
crown.
"At the conclusion of each world championship cycle, every
national team's performance is closely analyzed," Gulati said in a
statement. "There are many factors considered in this analysis, and
it certainly isn't just about one loss or one particular coaching
decision.
"In this case, after looking closely at the last six weeks and
the team's performance at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, we have
made a decision to change leadership of the US Women's National
Team."
(CRI via AFP October 23, 2007)