The Associated Press
CHICAGO—U.S. women’s goalkeeper Hope Solo yesterday was suspended for six months by U.S. Soccer for disparaging comments about Sweden following the Americans’ early departure from the Rio Olympics.
Solo called the Swedes “a bunch of cowards” for focusing on defence rather than attacking the three-time defending champion U.S. team.
Sweden ousted the U.S. 4-3 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw in a quarter-final match.
U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said Solo’s comments were “unacceptable and do not meet the standard of conduct we require from our National Team players.”
“Beyond the athletic arena, and beyond the results, the Olympics celebrate and represent the ideals of fair play and respect,” Gulati added.
“We expect all of our representatives to honour those principles, with no exceptions.”
The 35-year-old Solo, who previously was suspended for 30 days early in 2015 for her conduct, won’t be eligible for selection to the national team until February.
Solo said she was “saddened” by the decision in a statement on her Facebook page .
“I could not be the player I am without being the person I am, even when I haven’t made the best choices or said the right things,” she wrote.
“My entire career, I have only wanted the best for this team, for the players, and the women’s game, and I will continue to pursue these causes with the same unrelenting passion with which I play the game.”
Solo was a lightning rod during the Olympic tournament—irking fans in Brazil when she posted a photo on social media of herself covered with mosquito netting and armed with insect repellant.
Fans booed her mercilessly and hollered “Zika!” each time she kicked downfield.
Then she caused a stir with her “cowards” comment.
Sweden’s coach, Pia Sundhage, who led the U.S. team to gold medals in Beijing and London, replied by stating: “It’s OK to be a coward if you win.”
