As a single heterosexual male, I have to admit that my admiration for Hope Solo is not entirely based on the fact that she’s a damn good goalkeeper. So sue me.
She’s got a fire and a passion beyond just the usual intensity we’d expect from an athlete. I can’t imagine how it is to have to stand in front of her for a penalty kick.
But…as much as we love that, it gets to be a bit much sometimes. She apparently went all bat guano on Twitter at, of all people, Brandi Chastain. Solo’s comments were prompted by Chastain’s criticism of Rachel Buehler during the play-by-play.
Sean Newell over at Deadspin has Chastain’s comments and Solo’s Tweets. Here’s a sample:
Lay off commentating about defending and gking until you get more educated @brandichastain the game has changed from a decade ago. #fb
Chastain kept her reply off of Twitter, but if I were her, it probably would have said something like “Things have changed in ten years, we used to win World Cups…”
Keep in mind here that Buehler had a giveaway and well, the commentator commented on it. I’m not sure how Solo could have known about it, unless the goal comes equipped with Direct TV.
It isn’t Chastain’s first criticism of the team. She voiced her concerns with the team during the game against France. Given that the US gave up two goals before the first quarter of an hour had passed, criticism should be expected.
I would understand Solo’s pique if Chastain made some snarky “when I was playing…” remark, but she didn’t. This is the sort of thing one should expect when you are playing at this level.
And Buehler’s mistake would have been a problem against a team with more offensive bite (lucky for the US, Yoreli Rincón is still benched for some petty reasons). I can’t imagine the same criticisms aren’t being directed at Buehler and others in the locker room.
Maybe Solo is getting that attitude that we see among so many swaggering American professional athletes these days: I’ve got the contract, I’ve got the endorsement deals, so none of you deserve to say anything. I guess the fact that women do this now is progress of some sort.
