Hope Solo, You Win

Greg Ryan is no longer the US Women's soccer head coach today, after a World Cup loss in the semifinals and a controversial goalkeeping decision.

He should have been fired before the third place match ion the World Cup. Once the decision was mad to bench Solo and they lost I told you her would be fired.

Ryan is probably a Star Trek junkie, and wanted to bench Solo to put down the Star Wars fans by sitting a goalkeeper that is strong with the force.

He only had one loss in his tenure since 2005, but he clearly made the wrong choice in a big game.

Ryan has one saving grace in that he coaches in a country that does not follow soccer like the rest of the world, or else he would have had to move the other side of the world.

Do not fret Ryan, you can always attend the Star Trek conventions as "the man who dissed the force."

Oh Snap!

That was Hope Solo following the 4-0 United States World Cup loss to Brazil in today's game. Solo had been replaced by veteran Brianna Scurry even though she had started each game this World Cup.

"It's not 2004 anymore..."

I love that line by Solo. I wish she had pulled this rant before they lost today, although that would mean not being a "team" player.

But she is right. Scurry may have been good in the past, but that is exactly what it was, the past. Lets compare it to baseball playoff pitching matchups:

That is like Terry Francona of the Boston Red Sox starting Curt Schilling in game 1 of the ALDS because, "he has been there before," even though he has a possible 21-game winner and possible Cy Young pitcher in Josh Beckett wanting to pitch.

U.S. head coach Greg Ryan started Solo the whole World Cup for a reason: because she is the now, and the future of U.S. women's soccer. I guess he just had a brain fart... in the SEMIFINALS!

I say Ryan starts Scurry in the third place game against Norway; there is no way Solo wants to play for that ugly bronze.
The force was with her.

Ryan was Uncle Owen and Solo was Luke Skywalker:
Uncle Owen - "Take these two over to the garage, will you, I want them cleaned up before dinner."
Luke Skywalker - "But, I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters."
Owen - "You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done."

NFL picks coming today.

Women's World Cup 2007

Germany won 3-0 over Norway today in the semifinals of the Women's 2007 World Cup and now awaits the winner of tomorrow's matchup between the United States and Brazil (which will air live at 7:55 a.m. ET on ESPN2).

The big news before the semifinal for the U.S. is that coach Greg Ryan will make a goalie change for the game versus Brazil.

Brianna Scurry will start in place of Hope Solo in the goal, but Solo would return back to the starting position if the U.S. reaches the finals. Solo has started each game in the World Cup so far.

Does this make sense? I mean besides the fact that Solo has the sweetest name I have ever heard, why make the change now? In the semifinals, no less. I guess Ryan has not heard the motto, "if it's not broken, don't fix it."

I know Scurry is the veteran and faced Brazil in the 2004 Summer Olympics, but Solo has been money during the whole World Cup tournament. If the U.S. loses this match, then you can look at this change as the reason. Mark my words.

But if they win, and Scurry has a great game, then Ryan is the smart one.

Anyways, Hope Solo is the best name in the business. It is so Star Wars-esque that I think I might give my daughter that name when I have children.

Ryan, the force is strong with her.

(Pictured: Abby Wambach - who will have a goal tomorrow morning)