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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 OPINION 
9

Bad Girl Goalie Can Save Woman's Soccer League

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(Newser) – St. Louis' showboating, self-proclaimed "loudmouth goalkeeper" is somebody fans love or hate and that's exactly what women's soccer needs, Jason Zengerle writes in the Atlantic. Hope Solo—who refused to wear the "girly" pink outfit provided when the Women's Professional Soccer League kicked off earlier this year—can help give this league the edge missing in the short-lived last league, Zengerle argues.

Part of the fun in sports comes from having "a villainous athlete" to root against, Zengerle writes, and until now, most women's soccer stars have been too bland for anybody but "ponytailed preteens" to get excited about. Solo—considered the best goalie in the world by some—appears to be relishing her bad girl role. "For some reason, people want to think that we’re girls next door, who all get along and go shopping at the mall together,” she snapped. “Treat us like professional athletes.”

Goalkeeper Hope Solo jumps higher than teammate Amy Rodriguez to retrieve a ball during a training session of the United States women's soccer team earlier this year.
Goalkeeper Hope Solo jumps higher than teammate Amy Rodriguez to retrieve a ball during a training session of the United States women's soccer team earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
US goalie Hope Solo holds the tournament's Best Player award after her team's soccer Algarve Cup final with Sweden earlier this year.
US goalie Hope Solo holds the tournament's Best Player award after her team's soccer Algarve Cup final with Sweden earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Miguel Angel Morenatti)
Goalkeeper Hope Solo reaches for the ball during US Women's National soccer team practice in Washington last year.
Goalkeeper Hope Solo reaches for the ball during US Women's National soccer team practice in Washington last year.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson, File)
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They go and make this padded goalkeeper jersey and it’s hot pink. It just looks girly, it looks juvenile, it doesn’t look professional. And so I said, ‘There’s no way in hell I’m wearing this.’
- Goalie Hope Solo

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9 comments
VIEWING:
 
DarkFrancis
Aug 14, 09 5:22 AM CDT
If Beckham couldn't help the MLS, a goalkeeper is not gonna save the women's game. Reply
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
Nwambe
Aug 14, 09 8:30 AM CDT
Bingo. You know what would help the MLS, though? More teams like Toronto (Not that I'm biased or anything :) )
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0
armywife
Aug 14, 09 5:23 AM CDT
you go, girl! her name makes me think of Han Solo, and she is totally right - a pink uniform is juvenile and insulting. Reply
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
ruserious
Aug 14, 09 9:19 AM CDT
Whoa--I hadn't noticed her name until I looked back after reading your post. Best. Name. Ever.
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0
IN RESPONSE:
iamacidangel
Aug 15, 09 7:07 PM CDT
Why would they require her to wear any color jersey in the first place? The goalie should be able to decide what color they want it to be, as long as it is not the same color as the rest of the players'.
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+1

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