After World Cup Dismissal, Hope to Fly Solo

U.S. Soccer looks to replace Ryan after Solo debacle

(NEWSER) - In a demonstration of the high expectations of the U.S. women's soccer team, coach Greg Ryan was fired after his team crashed out in the semifinals of last month's World Cup. Ryan sustained just two losses in two and a half years, but his questionable handling of the goalkeeper position helped foment an ugly defeat to Brazil. More»

Women's soccer coach brings back outspoken goalie after benching her for World Cup finals

(NEWSER) - Outspoken goalie Hope Solo is on the US women's soccer team roster for games against Mexico later this month, reports the AP. The 26-year-old player publicly criticized coach Greg Ryan for playing Briana Scurry in her place in the World Cup semifinals, and was kept from practicing and playing in the team's third-place final. More»

US defeats France, will play for title on Sunday

(NEWSER) - One more win for the World Cup: The US women's soccer team beat France 3-1 today to advance to the finals on Sunday. With the game tied 1-1, Abby Wambach headed in a goal (again! ) to give USA the lead with about 10 minutes left. Alex Morgan made it 3-1 shortly after. The women will play either Japan or Sweden for the championship, and they are the favorites now that Germany and Brazil are gone. Bleacher Report followed the game with a live blog, and AP has more details. More»

(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. More»

Scores 2 goals in first 4 minutes, hangs on to win

(AP) - Norway jumped on the United States from the opening whistle, getting two goals in the first four minutes today to beat the US women's soccer team, 2-0, at the Beijing Olympics. The US occassionally looked dangerous, but seemed to miss injured leading scorer Abby Wambach. It was America's first loss under new coach Pia Sundhage. "My glass is always half full," said Sundhage, "so for us it's a new experience to lose a game." More»