U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Jill Ellis Comments on Hope Solo Suspension – Solo was banned as a result of everything …
The decision by U.S. Soccer to suspend Hope Solo, the famed USA Goalkeeper who has a better record than anyone else on record — and terminate her contract with the federation — has left fans questioning the motive to oust the 35-year-old who is still showing signs of top form. With a stellar on field performance record, is it really her off field actions that cost her protecting our country’s goal? Does the decision leave our women’s team vulnerable?
In an interview with U.S. Soccer, USWNT head coach Jill Ellis comments on the decision by the federation and what to expect in regard to the future of the team.
Soccer News: The loss of Hope Solo from the U.S. Women’s National Team has left many supporters in question as to what factors went into the decision to hand the two-time gold medalist and FIFA Women’s Would Cup winner with a 6-month suspension and termination of her contract with the federation.
U.S. Soccer made the announcement following Solo’s post-match comments on Sweden’s style of play. The USWNT was surprisingly eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Rio Olympics last month by Sweden who were led by former U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage.
In short, Solo called the Swedish team cowards.
According to L.A. Times sportswriter, Kevin Baxter, Hope Solo said the following:
“Sadly, how Hope handled her post-Olympic comments forced us to make a significant decision. It’s not simply a decision made about comments, it was based on the sum total of actions that have unfortunately shone a negative light on our program,” said USWNT head Coach Jill Ellis in an interview on U.S. Soccer.
Following the decision by U.S. Soccer, the two-time gold medalist announced she would also sit out the remainder of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season for personal reasons.
Solo has been verbal about her beliefs in U.S. Soccer’s decision, which she thinks may not be due to playing performance.
“I feel like I’m being pushed out, because it can’t be based off performance, my health,” said Solo. “It can’t be based off anything but they don’t like me… because they know I’ve been fighting so hard for equal pay.”
Solo along with other USWNT stars Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan recently filed gender wage discrimination versus U.S. Soccer that received a contrasting opinion from the federation.
Solo has received criticism for her behavior off the field with her 2014 arrest for two misdemeanor counts of assault filed by her half-sister and nephew highlighting the most controversial case.
With the decision by U.S. Soccer still in question by fans, Ellis clarified Solo’s punishment was based on various factors rather than just her comments made during the Olympics.
Ellis explains the motive going forward following the team’s Olympic loss would be to prepare for 2019, which means investing in the other goalkeepers and getting them playing time.
Everything right now is building towards 2019 and our future,” said Ellis.
Solo is remaining vague as to the next steps, but she bowed out of the remainder of the NWSL women’s soccer season and explained it in this Twitter post.
