Hope Solo during the friendly between the United States and Switzerland on August 20, 2014, in Cary, N.C.
Photo courtesy of Cynthia Hobgood

Solo Calls Sweden Tactics ‘Cowardarly’ after Olympic Loss

In postgame comments, United States goalkeeper Hope Solo was sharp and candid in her assessment of Sweden’s tactical strategy after the Swedes defeated the U.S. in penalty kicks to advance to the semifinals of the women’s Olympic soccer tournament on Friday in Brasilia, Brazil.

In her comments to reporters, Solo said: “I’m very proud of this team. But I also think we played a bunch of cowards.” Sports Illustrated‘s Grant Wahl provides the full quote below:


In a follow-up tweet, Solo said, “Losing sucks. I’m really bad at it.”

Sweden’s head coach, Pia Sundhage, for her part responded by saying, “I don’t give a crap. I’m going to Rio, she’s going home.

Sundhage is no stranger to Solo or the U.S. Women’s National Team after coaching both to a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

Update

In a statement to Wahl, U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said Solo’s comments were “highly inappropriate.”