The Hope Solo saga took another stunning turn Saturday when her U.S. World Cup teammates decided they did not want the goalie with them for Saturday’s practice or Sunday’s third-place game with Norway.
The team banished Solo, who had started the first four games of the World Cup, because she reacted to being benched for Thursday’s 4-0 semifinal loss to Brazil. After the game she criticized not only the decision but the play of her replacement, veteran Briana Scurry.
“Her going public has affected the whole group,” U.S. captain Kristine Lilly said in explaining the decision. “Having her with us is still a distraction.”
Solo, 25, was the team’s goalie of the future, but her career with the national team could be over unless she somehow finds a way to regain her teammates’ confidence. She apologized at a team meeting Saturday after using her MySpace site for a public apology that still implied criticism of Scurry.
“The forgiveness in our hearts is just going to have to come with time,” said Abby Wambach, the team’s leading scorer.
Attempts to reach Solo for comment Saturday were unsuccessful.
“I don’t want to speak for Hope, but I think she understands she lost this team,” coach Greg Ryan said Saturday.
———-
phersh@tribune.com
