[Otto-matic]

Hope Solo says the USWNT lost to 'a bunch of cowards'

"Sweden dropped off," said Solo. "They didn't want to open play. They didn't want to pass the ball. They didn't want to play great soccer."

Some see a team's willingness to defend and not attack at all costs as "anti-soccer," but the idea that there is a right way to play soccer or that a commitment to defending is cowardly is ridiculous. Maybe Sweden weren't the better team -- they won on penalty kicks, so it'd be fair to say the two teams were even -- but they kept the Americans from generating many chances and were clinical on the counterattack for their goal. Then they were cool as could be in penalty kicks. Their ability to hold up under pressure was admirable.

Solo's comments are especially rich considering that the way Sweden played is exactly how the U.S. played for years and what they used to win the gold medal in 2012. Solo acknowledged as much, but she wasn't criticizing her team then.

http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/stor...cowards-081216