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Ousted keeper Solo blasts coach Ryan over selection

Replaced US goalkeeper Hope Solo, right, sits on the bench with teammate Aly Wagner before the FIFA Women's World Cup semi-final match against Brazil at the Dragon Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Thursday. PHOTO: AFP

Ousted US goalkeeper Hope Solo aimed furious criticism at coach Greg Ryan after her replacement's bungling display in the World Cup semi-final hammering by Brazil.

The two-time champions crashed out 4-0 on Thursday, their heaviest World Cup defeat and first loss in 52 matches, with recalled keeper Briana Scurry questionable for three of the goals.

"It was the wrong decision," Solo fumed. "Anybody that knows anything about the game knows that. There's no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves."

Scurry apparently failed to call in the 20th minute, when Leslie Osborne headed a corner into her own net under no pressure. The goalkeeper got a hand to Marta's first goal and allowed her second to squirm beneath her body.

The 36-year-old veteran's surprise recall was apparently based on her impeccable record against Brazil including match-winning heroics in the 2004 Olympic final.

But Solo, 26, who conceded just two goals in the previous four matches, slammed Ryan for living "in the past."

"It's not 2004 any more, it's 2007 and you have to live in the present," she said. "You can't live by big names. You can't live in the past. It doesn't matter what somebody did in the Olympic gold medal match three years ago."

Ryan has rejected criticism over the decision and denied Scurry was at fault for any of the goals.

"I have no regrets with Briana starting," he said. "There was nothing she could do about any of the goals."

Ryan has not yet announced which goalkeeper will start tomorrow's third-place play-off against Norway.

Despite the defeat by Brazil Ryan is looking on the bright side.

"I want to say that I am very proud of my girls, who don't forget had gone 51 games unbeaten going into this match," he said of a run that had lasted two-and-a-half years. "The players have given their all through their dedication, but this is over now and we have to move on."

While Ryan is reluctant to admit it, the Americans, two-time champions who were widely tipped to win the tournament, were completely outplayed by classy Brazil.

Despite the disappointment, Ryan said there were still positives coming out of the tournament.

"No, I'm not devastated by the loss," he said. "But I'm disappointed for my players."

"I feel good about what I have done with this team. We must continue to develop our talent, and there are a lot of good players coming through," Ryan said.

The defeat is likely to spell the end of the road for a number of American players, led by wily old campaigner and captain Kristine Lilly who at 36 has almost certainly played her last World Cup.
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