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Hope Solo Alleges Former USA Soccer Coach Shoved Her, Former USA Soccer Coach Denies It

Hope Solo always has something to say. And because of that, despite her on-field prowess, the 31-year-old United States Women’s National Team goalkeeper is just as often in the news for off-the-field reasons. It began in 2007 when Solo was openly critical of then- United States coach Greg Ryan’s decision to bench her in the Women’s World Cup semifinals.

And in her new book, SOLO: A Memoir of Hope, the goalkeeper has again turned her attention toward Ryan. In a section of the book that addressed the 2007 benching incident, Solo writes that the coach shoved her during a meeting. Ryan, though, denied the allegation, responding with this statement:

“This allegation is completely false. I did not shove or push Hope as I’ve been accused in her book. I would have been terminated immediately by USA Soccer had this allegation been true. I have openly discussed the contents of the meeting and this is the first time that this accusation has been brought to light.

“Hope was disappointed that I benched her for the semifinals, but it was the right move for the team. It was discussed with team leaders, and they stood by my decision.”

Ryan has been the women’s soccer coach at Michigan since being dismissed from the Women’s National Team after the 2007 World Cup loss.

Via ESPN

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