September 15, the USWNT dominated Thailand 9-0 in Columbus, Ohio. It was the first time we saw star player Megan Rapinoe kneel-down as the rest of the players and stadium admired America by standing for the national anthem. Rapinoe did not start in the game against Thailand for reasons that are unknown. This week Rapinoe continued her protest by kneeling during the national anthem before the USA beat the Netherlands 3-1.
Megan Rapinoe has been kneeling during the national anthem during NWSL games in support of NFL player Colin Kaepernick's protest against racial inequality in the USA, and there was some speculation ast to whether she would do it for USWNT matches.
Hope Solo’s six-month ban from the USWNT, and the termination of her contract with the national team, has resulted in the decorated goalkeeper releasing another statement with regards to her status with the Seattle Reign, her NWSL club side.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to end my season with the Seattle Reign, an organization I love playing for. Mentally, I am not there yet,” reads the statement.
For the United States Soccer Federation, it’s seemingly a case of enough finally being enough. Following Hope Solo’s infamous declaration that Sweden were a “bunch of cowards” after their victory over the U.S., America’s governing body has handed Solo a six month suspension and terminated her contract with the women’s national team.
In defense of Hope Solo, her comments about the USA’s loss to Sweden have come in the heat of the moment — fresh off a devastating defeat, it’s understandable that she’s completely lost the plot.
Alright, that’s enough of defending Hope Solo.
The United States women’s national team clawed their way back into their quarter-final match against Sweden, but were unable to find a winner in 120 minutes of action. The lottery of penalties ultimately doomed the four-time gold medalists.
It was the first penalty shootout in the history of women’s soccer at the Olympics, and the USWNT were unable to conquer their nerves as Sweden emerged victorious, 4-3.
The USWNT drew 2-2 against Colombia to top Group G in Manaus on Tuesday. Goals from Crystal Dunn and Mallory Pugh for the U.S. were cancelled out by two free kicks from Maria Catalina Usme, one of which was the result of an error by U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo.
The USWNT has made it through their toughest game (on paper) of the group stage at the Olympics unscathed, beating the third-ranked team in the world, France, 1-0.
The goal, if you haven't already heard, came from USA co-captain and destroyer of worlds Carli Lloyd, who pounced on the rebound from a Tobin Heath shot that came off the post.
The USWNT got their Olympics off to the start everyone was hoping for with a comfortable, injury-free 2-0 win against New Zealand.
New Zealand played a physical, bruising style of soccer, but in the end the USWNT's skill advantage won out.
Having the best player in the world helps too. Carli Lloyd got the USWNT on the board in the first half, heading in a Tobin Heath cross.