Written by AJ Perez at USAToday.com
U.S. Soccer suspended goalie Hope Solo from the U.S. women’s soccer team for six months for her divisive comments aimed at Sweden during the Rio Games, the organization announced Wednesday night.
Beyond the suspension announced publicly, Solo’s national team contract was terminated after a 15-minute-long meeting with the federation on Wednesday, USWNT Players Association executive director Rich Nichols told USA TODAY Sports in a phone interview.
Solo blasted Sweden after the USA lost 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie in the quarterfinals Aug. 12.
“We played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today. I strongly believe that,” Solo said, according to Sports Illustrated. “I think you saw American heart.”
“The comments by Hope Solo after the match against Sweden during the 2016 Olympics were unacceptable and do not meet the standard of conduct we require from our national team players,” U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said in a statement. “Beyond the athletic arena, and beyond the results, the Olympics celebrate and represent the ideals of fair play and respect. We expect all of our representatives to honor those principles, with no exceptions.”
Nichols bristled for both the reasons given for the suspension — a penalty he vowed to appeal on Thursday — and that U.S. Soccer only announced Solo had been suspended.
“She got fired,” Nichols said. “She was fired for making comments that no man would have been fired for making. It’s a draconian penalty.”
Solo said she was “saddened” by U.S. Soccer’s decision to suspend her, according to a statement obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
“For 17 years, I dedicated my life to the U.S. Women’s National Team and did the job of a pro athlete the only way I knew how — with passion, tenacity, an unrelenting commitment to be the best goalkeeper in the world, not just for my country, but to elevate the sport for the next generation of female athletes,” Solo said. “In those commitments, I have never wavered. And with so much more to give, I am saddened by the federation’s decision to terminate my contract.
To continue reading this article, click here.
