Hope Solo gets scored on again
After spending the better part of two weeks being brash, outspoken, and yes, even ugly, it looks like U.S. women's soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo is toning things down in time for the gold medal match Thursday.
[Related: FIFA delays disciplinary action until after Canada's bronze-medal match]
Solo made headlines Monday after being lit up by Canadian striker Christine Sinclair for three goals. Rather than give Sinclair nay credit, Solo told reporters her defence made Sinclair look good, simultaneously dissing Sinclair and demeaning her own defenders.
"We made her look good," Solo said. "We didn't win those air battles."
On Wednesday, Solo seemed to be in a more conciliatory mood. She tweeted her respect for Sinclair, randomly:
Ive said it all along...Sinclair could be the best player in the world. My hat goes off to her and the Canadian team. #fb
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) August 8, 2012
It helped, of course, that Solo was on the receiving end of two days of backlash after her subpar performance on Monday. Solo let in three of Canada's seven shots on goal, leaving herself stuck between a rock and a hard place: admit her squad was suffering form defensive inadequacies - a premise she bitterly disagreed with during a much-publicized Twitter fight with former U.S. hero Brandi Chastain - or concede that Sinclair had Solo's number Monday.
In the end, Solo chose a safe route, and made no mention - at least publicly - of support for the beleaguered defenders she so publicly let twist in the wind on Monday.
But at least she made her concession to Sinclair. For that, today at least, Solo deserves a modicum of credit.
More Olympics coverage on Yahoo! Canada Sports:
• Drouin jumps into history for Canada
• Sinclair looks ahead to bronze match
• Photos: Inspirational Olympic moments
• Video: Despatie upbeat in swan song