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"In everything I do, I play to win, and I speak the truth, and people are either going to love me or they hate me." – Hope Solo
U.S. women's national team goalkeeper Hope Solo has become as polarizing figure as there is in the women's game. Her talent on the field as arguably the premiere goalkeeper in the world is unquestionable, but her actions off the field have taken some of the attention from her success and accomplishments.
In an interview for ESPN's TV show E:60, Solo, who just released a tell-all book, dishes on everything from Greg Ryan's controversial decision to bench her in the semifinals of the 2007 Women's World Cup, her celebrity experiences off the field, her conflict with former USWNT standout and current TV analyst Brandi Chastain during this summer's Olympics to her success on the field. Give the interview a watch and let us know what you think about what Solo has to say in the comments section below. Enjoy:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s5pVKo-c1Y]
Solo has been upset over the last five years because she was wrongly benched in a big game, didn’t like a color commentator criticizing her teammates (not her), and got treated poorly a couple of times by people she worked with. Her story is interesting overall, but if she were a successful male athelte, these stories would hardly raise an eyebrow (go read Ball Four if you haven’t). Fact is that it makes goot tv because the camera loves her and its unusual for a female athelte to open up the way she has about herself and her professional relationships. Is she seeking attention? No more than anyone else in our celeb-crazy world, but at least she has actual achievements behind it.
Yeah, she didn’t fail a steroids test, she just got caught with a bunch of steroid-masking agents in her system! TOTALLY different.
Keep in mind her original tweet about Chastain did not reference her commentary ability, instead it claimed Chastain didn’t know anything about the game. Those are two different issues. I’d say Chastain (and again, Hope is very telling here by impling Chastain is only “the girl who took off her shirt” and not referencing her storied career) gets under Hope’s skin because she’s so revered.
Also does anyone really disagree with what Solo said about Chastain? She is a bad commentator and says things just to try and appear neutral. She is shown in America, yes try to be objective, but that doesn’t extend down to attacking the team just to try and appear like you aren’t a homer. Chastain is garbage, her 15 minutes should have been in 99 and she should have disappeared after that. She does nothing to further the game or US Soccer so dont bring her around anymore.
Julie Foudy isn’t a great commentator either, but she is leaps and bounds ahead of Chastain. Stick with her or find a better female to comment if you feel you have to have a woman.
Not even top 2 on the national team.
hope solo is a clown. she forgets she is part of a team and wants to only be the attraction rather than let all her teammates have some glory after olympics. I dont see any other usa players out criticizing/slamming other players from past, rather are enjoying their victory. Hope solo has many problems.
I think Hope is a great keeper, and a boon to the women’s game. Her athleticism and presence on the field transcends gender, and that is a good thing. But I cringe at anyone, male or female, that loudly and proudly proclaims “I speak my mind, and tough luck if you don’t like it.” It indicates the inability to grasp that what is in one’s mind is not necessarily truth, and has real impact on other people.
They asked her for her opinion, she didn’t seek them out. LD always speaks his mind when interviewed does that make him bad? No
Exactly, she is right about everything she says in regard to that. One of the worst decisions by a coach ever.
But I’m sure Tim Howard wouldn’t of found the 1st camera he could find and make the kind of comments she did after the game!
+1.
Hate to play the armchair psychologist… but this interview is really telling… her hatred for Kristine Lilly seems to be the root of her hatred towards the 1999 Women’s team of legends.
Wish we would have known that Abby thought Brianna was the right choice back then too. Tired of everyone blaming Ryan for the decision that looks horrible in hindsight but if two stars on the team agreed then you have to wonder about how bad a decision it was during the fog of war.
Also, makes you wonder if Solo’s “anyone who knows anything about soccer” comment was directed at Lilly and Abby.
I don’t care what others have to say about her, Hope Solo is one of the sexiest women on the planet.
I wonder which classic female US star she wants to attack next?
Precisely, Reid.
and why is that negro calling me a racist?
a quote from a great man keeps ringin in my head and it can be applied here.
“your not wrong Walter (Hope), your just an a$_hole”
I’m not a misogynist, but I do hate women.
You guys have it right!!! I love the fact she is outspoken! The fact is her coach made a horrible decision, Chastain is an Awful commentator and she called them out on it. Also can we please stop with the 99 team already!! Why should she have to be asked questions about this team anyway!! The game has changed and their time is gone. Lets move forward already.
Well, I disagree with the Trevor as well. No way he can know that and it was a trolling comment. But that doesn’t make him a misogynyst. It makes him an internet troll.
And just because many top athletes are narcissists doesn’t mean I have to like it or appreciate it when I see it. There are also plenty of top athletes who aren’t.
+1 The Wombat, for example, is a tough, spirited player who keeps generally keeps her mouth shut and shows her determination on the field.
Read my post again. You missed the part where I cured cancer, solved the middle-east crisis and gave away the secret for a perfect cup of coffee.
…what a moron.
Hah, Abby Wambach is awesome.
This line of attack is so boring.
I was talking about the Trevor kid. I mean it wouldn’t be very honest of me to claim she isn’t a narcissist because she clearly loves herself. Many top athletes are like that sadly.
You act like she is calling ESPN up asking for interviews. She gets the call and she speaks her mind. So what if she is promoting her book because everyone would in a sense if they had a book on the market.
No, it doesn’t mean she’s wrong, it just means she puts money over being a good person.
Great keeper, but I just wish she would grow a little backbone and be able to take some criticism. Her Twitter outburst on Chastain was petty and probably re-inforced some catty stereotypes of women. If she wants her sport to be accepted like a men’s sport, then she is going to have to realize that criticism (just and unjust) is going to come her way from the media. Deal with it.
Yes, I feel guilty. That’s the problem here. Making a general statement about those you disagree with and then claiming you weren’t talking about the one who calls you out on it is a classic internet gimmick.
You can choose to disagree and choose to like her. But you do not need to accuse people of misogyny and question their motives.
I don’t have a problem with her trying to sell a book. I do not like it when she creates controversy and makes inflammatory comments about other people to do so.
Lol yes, we hate women. That is clearly what’s happening here. C’mon man.
Here’s another one of those comments just dripping with an underlying hatred.
In one sentence managed to say
Hope Solo is a failure at life.
Hope Solo’s parents are failures.
Hope Solo is a narcissist (probably true).
Hope Solo is a cheater.
You people are pathetic misogynists.
I like her. I rather have athletes who speak their mind. It is a lot more interesting then hearing athletes spout the same cliches over and over again.
If my kids grow up to be like Hope Solo I’d consider myself a huge failure as a parent.
Such a self-aggrandizing doper.
Nobody was talking about you. But since you clearly took a general comment personally you must already feel guilty about your comment.
Nice work. And of course she’s selling her book. Doesn’t mean she’s wrong.
People would freak out and rightfully so. Hope is demonized for being an outspoken woman who also happens to be the hand sdown best darn keeper on the planet.
Misogyny? I don’t like self-aggrandizing jerks who are male athletes, either. Misogyny is not the issue here.
elgringorico has this exactly right. She is trying to sell books and sell herself.
One more thing…could you imagine if Kasey Keller came out of retirement. We made it to the World Cup Quarters or Semis (for realism sake lol) without giving up a goal, with Howard in net. Then for that Semifinal game Jurgen starts Keller…we’d go crazy!
Try to think of her objectively, not as a woman, but as a human. She creates controversy and constantly brings attention to herself. She is very clearly trying to sell her book and MAKE MONEY by blowing up all these stupid stories.
Does she not realize that all dancing coaches move their partners bodies into the correct position? It’s how they teach.
Your evidence?
Nah, it’s the Internet who needs it, right? Maybe we should show up at your work and tell everyone you smoke crack and touch little children on the weekends.
I mean hey, we don’t have any evidence but who cares, right?
Can’t disagree with her. She’s exactly what you want in a Goalie.
There’s a ton of misogyny on the Internet, so I expect some nasty comments. Already seeing a few.
That was a great interview, I respect Solo more now
Watched the interview yesterday, and I completely agree with her in respect to the World Cup fiasco and definitely agree with the Brandi Chastain comments. It’s almost impossible for me to sit and listen to her attempt to broadcast a game.
I feel like Hope gets harshly criticized for saying exactly what a lot (not all) of people think. She’s not complaining about people’s opinion about her. Since that’s the case I can say that I’m on her side, and a fan.
Just got to 5:20 where she essentially says “GO READ THE BOOK” and get pissy about it. ugh.
Where’s the “if she was a guy..” camp??
Guess what people.. if a male athlete is a selfish a$$hole, he’s an a$$hole too. No, it wouldn’t be OK, let alone celebrated, if she was a guy.
I hate how much attention this stupid “push” is getting. He said… she said, who cares. This would never be an issue in men’s sports. The decision to bench Solo is outdated and in the past, no reason bringing it back because of a “push” that could have just been a slight hand on shoulder preventing her to leave. Point is nobody knows let’s move on.
On that note I might agree a bit with Tim.
steriod using cheat
I dislike her.
I’m in the ‘love her’ camp. Yes, she’s bats**** crazy, but I still love her. And she’s not wrong about Ryan’s decision or about having no obligation to kowtow to the 99ers.
Solo is self-aggrandizing and takes any opportunity to promote herself. I’ll choose not to watch, thanks.