Team USA plays Sweden Friday night in its second World Cup match, but there off-the-field distractions are still stirring controversy, reports CBS News correspondent Jericka Duncan.
Team USA is looking to ride the momentum from their first game Monday, thanks largely to inspired playing by goalkeeper Hope Solo. Her three saves in the first half helped keep Australia at bay.
She hardly seemed distracted, despite renewed attention to her past. An ESPN article Sunday revealed new details from her domestic violence arrest last year.
On Thursday Sen. Richard Blumenthal sent a letter to U.S. Soccer’s president, urging them to investigate new details and allegations surrounding Solo’s arrest. He asked them to reconsider Solo’s position on the team.
But Friday, Solo will need to maintain that same focus.
“The U.S. team is used to dealing with Hope Solo as a distraction, let’s be honest here this is not a new thing for her to have off field troubles,” sports journalist Grant Wahl said.
Troubles her former coach, and current Sweden coach, Pia Sundhage brought up yet again.
From 2007 to 2012 Sundhage led the U.S Women’s National Team to two Olympic gold medals and the 2011 World Cup final.
In an interview with the New York Times this week, Sundhage said current USA player, “Carli Lloyd was a challenge to coach” and she called goalkeeper Hope Solo one of the most challenging players she has ever coached, “especially when it comes to trouble.”
USA coach Jill Ellis dismissed any negative comments.
“We have to play to our strengths, we have to focus and do what we’re good at, so it’s not really taking any consideration who is on the opposing bench,” Ellis said.
