Some Commentary

I just read this story from the USA Today about the USA's Women's soccer team. While I didn't watch the consolation match, I still kept up with what was going on.

When the coach decided to bench Hope Solo so he could put in a 'veteran' goalie, I completely disagreed. In sports, coaches and the general media put too much importance on experience. I know that you can't have a team full of rookies, but you don't need your veterans to play. You need them to provide support and give advice when necessary.

Brazil torched the US. 4 goals were allowed, but only 3 were by Brazil. But that's more goals than were allowed by Solo in the past 298 minutes of game time. The coach should have taken a note from the NHL. You start the hot goalkeeper. (I mean 'hot' as in 'unstoppable,' not as in 'wow, she's hot!' I mean, she's kinda cute...for a soccer player...)

After the game, Solo made some comments that undoubtedly hurt some feelings. But the truth hurts. Her main point was that if she were playing, she would have stopped those goals. She mentioned that she disagreed with the coach's decision, and that they whouldn't choose their players based on achievements from years ago. While I cannot definitely say she would have stopped those goals, I completely agree on her second point.

But then I read this article, and the team's reaction disgusts me. They shunned her and pratically put her in the corner. She was not allowed to have meals with the team, or even practice with the team. If I were in Solo's shoes, I would have left the team immediately after this treatment. After one minute of isolation, I would have been on a plane back to the US. She carried that team through the tournament up until she was benched. And then she's treated like crap.

Sure, the US won 3rd place. But that's just a fancy term for "loser to another loser." The coach screwed things up, and he should be held accountable. But these last two things bug me the most.

"As Sunday's 4-1 rout of Norway drew to a close, Lilly left the field in the waning moments and paused to embrace Scurry and hand her the captain's armband."

While Scurry should be consoled for sucking so bad against Brazil, it is a slap in the face to Solo.

"'I'd like to think that I'd like to forgive her,' Wambach said."

What the hell does that mean? Maybe I'll possibly forgive her? Seriously. When the US played North Korea, there was so much talk about how this team has great chemistry and gets along really well. But then you get a statement like that. It makes me believe that these are a bunch of high school drama creating teens. That quote is something you would hear on "The Hills."

By the way, that show is absolutely terrible. I watched 2 minutes (don't ask me why), and it made me feel dumber. My brain turned to mush.