(sort of) Kayla's Salute: Hope Solo of magicJack and USWNT

Kayla loves football as much as the next guy, but at the base level, she's still a woman. She appreciates the after-game shirt exchange just as much as the game itself. Kayla's salute is a recurring piece spotlighting the best footballers that also happen to be the best looking. This salute is different because I, Jacen, am highjacking it to pay a birthday salute to a person who has become my very favourite female footballer: Hope Solo.



--
by Jacen



Unless you live in a place with no access to popular media, or you do and just avoid all news about the world of soccer, you have probably heard of Hope Solo, the stunningly beautiful, razor tongued keeper who plays for US football club magicJack and the United States Women's National Team. Since returning from the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany, Hope has been seen on talk shows, at premiers, and she even graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, a feat in itself being that only 4% of all Sports Illustrated covers have featured women. While she is deservedly riding high at this point in her life, Hope Solo's beginnings were much more humble.

Hope Solo before a match.

Hope was born on July 30th, 1981, in Richland, Washington. Hope's father Jeffrey was a veteran of the Vietnam war, and as with most veterans of that particular conflict, he had several issues that would plague him for the rest of his life. Hope was raised primarily by her mother Judy. From a young age, Hope seemed destined to be an athlete, taking an interest in several sports including basketball, snowboarding and beach volleyball in addition to a growing fascination with soccer, which was first taught to her by her father. Upon reaching high school, Hope played as a forward for her school team, the Richland High Bombers. Over the course of her high school career, Hope notched 109 goals, two of which were scored in the 1999 State Championship. Her exceptional playing also earned her two Parade All American awards. Hope finished high school in 1999 and went onto to play for the University of Washington. It was there that she first switched to goalkeeping. Always being one to push herself and try harder, Hope settled into her new position quickly and very effectively. As The Huskies keeper, she was named a four time All-Pac 10 athlete, and a three time NSCAA All-American. When Hope was a senior, she was the only goalkeeper, male or female, in contention for that year's Herman trophy. Though she did not get the win, Hope had the consolation of leaving as the University of Washington's all time clean sheet leader (18), as well as leader in saves (325) and GAA (1.02).

In the year 2003, Hope's club career got underway when she was  drafted to the newly formed WUSA club Philadelphia Charge. She made 8 appearances for the club before moving to Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC

Hope playing for Philadelphia Athletica

in 2004. Again, after only one year and 17 appearances for the Swedish club Hope moved to Lyon in France in 2005. At Lyon, she made 20 appearances for the club. After 2005 Hope left Lyon and did not play for another club until 2009, when she came back to the United States and was picked up by WPS club St. Louis Athletica. She played for them from 2009 - 2010, making 23 appearances. In 2010, after Athletica effectively folded, Hope joined Atlanta Beat, also in the WPS. In Atlanta she made 16 appearances. In 2011, ownership of the Beat changed, and the club was not only renamed, but moved. Just before the start of the 2011 WPS season, Hope followed her teammates down to Boca Raton, Florida where her new club, named magicJack, would be situated.

Hope has also had a very impressive international career. He received her first senior call up in April 2000. That match was a particular success, as she kept a clean sheet in the 8 - 0 win over Iceland. In 2004, Hope was selected as one of the goalkeepers for the USA's Olympic squad, and in 2005, she was officially the United States starting keeper. One particular record Hope holds, is she once went 1,054 minutes without conceding an international goal, a streak that was ended when the USA played France in the Algarve Cup. Unfortunately, Hope's good fortunes could not last forever. 2007 would prove to be a pivotal year for Hope Solo. She was selected as starting keeper for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, yet the whole experience was marred by three major life changing events, the first coming in April of that year. One of Hope's oldest and best friends, Elizabeth Duncan, was hit and killed by a car while she was out jogging in Seattle. Then in June, just before the start of the tournament, Hope's beloved father Jeffrey, died of a sudden heart attack.

Solo during her post 2007 Semi Final Interview

Pushing her emotions to the back of her mind, Hope chose to focus on the tournament. She was in excellent form, and of the 4 matches she played, she only conceded two goals, both of which were in the first game. In the next three matches, which were against Sweden, Nigeria and England, Hope kept a clean sheet each time. It appeared that Hope was also going to start in goal in the semi-final against Brasil, but coach Greg Ryan had other plans. Despite her four solid performances, Hope was benched in favor of veteran goalkeeper and previous World Cup winner Brianna Scurry. The USA would go on to lose to Brasil 4 - 0. Following the match, Hope, who was visibly upset, famously ranted to the press, speaking out against coach Ryan and his decision to bench her: "It was the wrong decision, and I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that. There's no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves." Following her outburst, coach Ryan benched her again, and Solo was ostracized from her teammates for the remainder of the 2007 US Women's season. Upon returning home to Seattle, Hope retreated for two weeks. "I couldn't sleep in my bed because my body just ached, so I'd start the bathtub. If that's what depression is, I think I hit it. I was a wreck." Hope stopped answering telephone calls and emails, and even lost 10 pounds. "I wanted to give up," She said. "Why show up somewhere where 20-plus people hate you? But I was going to be there to prove to everybody that you can't determine somebody's career by whether you like them or not."

2008 would see a complete turnaround from the previous year. Coach Ryan left the team after his contract was not renewed, and in his place stepped former Swedish international Pia Sundhage. With her came a newer, possession based approach to playing, as well as a call for black sheep Solo to come home. Veteran forward Abby Wambach said: "The younger players have a little bit of that emotional attachment to each other, but less so than in the past. You don't have to like each other, but once you cross that line, if you can like each other for at least 90 minutes, then I think you can be successful." From Hope's return to the roster in 2008 until the ill-fated game against Sweden in the group stage of the 2011 Women's World Cup, the USWNT had not lost a single match. Hope Solo had returned.

Though she missed much of the qualifying campaign due to shoulder surgery and the subsequent rehabilitation, Hope was chosen as the starting keeper for the United States for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. It was a big tournament for Solo in many ways. Over the 4 years since the last World Cup, many major events had taken place, and many notable wins were attained, including a rematch against Brasil in the Final of the 2008 Olympics which saw the USA win 1 - 0. But with the past behind her, and the future looming ahead, Hope did what she always did before. She got her head down and forged ahead. Her first two matches started well, with two victories against North Korea and Columbia and Hope keeping a clean sheet both times. Unfortunately, the USA would lose 2 - 1 against Sweden in the ultimate match of the group stage. While the loss was not enough to push the USA out of the tournament, it did set up a World Cup rematch from 4 years earlier. Brasil, who won group D with 9 points out of 9 and no goals conceded, looked to eliminate the US Ladies once again. Initially, luck appeared to be on the side of the USA, with a Brazilian own goal being scored in the 2nd minute. Yet the match was FAR from over. With 8 Yellow cards and 1 controversial Red for Rachel Buehler of the USA, the match itself was hard fought and highly exciting. Hope even stopped the penalty that followed Buehler's Red only to have to do it again due to encroachment. Solo could not stop the second penalty, and the match was level. After the game went to extra time and Brasil scored, things looked over for the USA, until Abby Wambach scored an incredible last minute goal to push the match through to penalty kicks. In the shootout, again Hope managed to save a penalty and ensured the USA went through to the Semi-Final. After beating France in the semi's, the USA went to their first World Cup Final since 1999, where they would play surprise finalists Japan.

Hope celebrating post game

After another astonishing game that saw 2 goals for both Japan and the USA, as well as 30 minutes of extra time, the Final would have to be decided on penalty kicks. Tragically for the USA, and Magically for Japan, the shootout did not go in the favor of the US Ladies. Japan would win 3 - 1, following a string of poor spot kicks for the USA. Though the USA took 2nd place, three awards were given to Hope for her outstanding playing during the tournament. She took home the Golden Gloves as the tournament's best keeper, in addition to the Bronze Ball as the tournament's third best player overall. She was also named as one of the two goalkeepers for the 2011 All-Star Team. Despite the 2nd place finish, Hope and the US Ladies returned home to an overwhelming show of support and love. It seemed that everywhere they went, people wanted a piece. Hope in particular, was shown a great deal of attention after the tournament's end, with everything from people proposing marriage via large signs or Facebook, to her being invited to the premiere of the final season of Entourage, to making appearances on the talk show circuit and beyond.

Today is July 30th. It also happens to be Hope Solo's 30th Birthday. This article is not only a Salute, but a gift to a player that has ridden the waves of success and defeat, and managed to get herself a tan. I can say with all certainty that we'll be seeing more of Hope Solo in the coming years, as her future continues to look brighter every day.



Jacen Curathers is a writer, co-editor and co-founder of the Captain's Armblog. He enjoys reading, drinking himself into a stupor, and playing as a fake, unrealistically talented version of himself of FIFA 11. He invites readers to email him anytime at thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com.

Kayla's Salute: The US & Japan Ladies in the World Cup Final

I love football as much as the next guy, but at the base level, I'm still a woman. I appreciate the after-game shirt exchange just as much as the game itself. Kayla's salute is a recurring piece spotlighting the best footballers that also happen to be the best looking.  This week's salute is different because it's not only a salute to two groups of people, but they're all ladies.  While the preference is the males, I can still appreciate some ass-kicking women who are also classy.  And the US and Japan's women's teams are just that. 


---


By Kayla

The US and Japan ladies treated us all to one of the most memorable Women's World Cup finals in history.  Two teams who had been commended for their talent, heart, and unwillingness to give up kept everyone on the edge of their seats on Sunday as the US consistently dominated the Japanese while the Japanese displayed a stubborn refusal to give up.  The game resulted in the first World Cup final victory for Japan, bringing much needed joy to a country devastated by a tsunami while the US ladies graciously accepted their runner-up medals and showed much respect for Japan as Japan hoisted the cup above their heads.

Getty Images

As a fan, I always prefer a clean, hard-fought game over one riddled with questionable calls and dirty tactics to gain the upper hand.  Many fans do.  In a high stress game where more pressure comes in an extremely important final such as this, it's easy for the emotions to run high as the players fight tooth and nail to do whatever it takes to ensure a victory for their side. 

There's no doubt the women's football does not receive as much attention or money as the men's football.  Men do have more at stake and experience more pressure to succeed, which begins to push the sport into a place where dirty tactics are more acceptable as the "whatever it takes to win" mentality is held in such high regard.

Associated Press

Maybe that's why the women's sport feels much more pure.  The stakes are not so high.  The focus is on going out and putting the best effort forward.  Clearly the women's game is not completely pure as some teams do feign injuries, take dives, and waste time just like it's prominent in the men's game.  Regardless, the Women's World Cup final was an extremely enjoyable match that was played with pride and class between two humble teams with a tremendous amount of respect for each other.  And that's why this week's salute goes to the ladies of the US and Japan's World Cup squads.

For the sake of these wonderful athletes, let's hope those who have had their eye caught by the Women's World Cup stick around and learn to love the ladies' side of the sport, while the ladies who play the sport maintain their dignity and determination to shine with their talent and their talent alone.


Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres.  Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The CAB's Video of the Day: Hope Solo & Abby Wambach on The Late Show

The video of the...you know.  Today is Hope Solo and Abby Wambach's appearance on Letterman last night.

---

By Kayla

In the flurry of media appearances since the US ladies have returned home, Hope Solo and Abby Wambach appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman last night to talk about their memorable World Cup campaign.  As with most members of the media, Letterman had no clue what he was talking about in regards to the game, at one point talking about how headers can cause brain damage.  Hope Solo and Abby Wambach kept the interview amusing as they made slight jabs at Letterman's footy ignorance and also beaming as they talked about how proud they were to have the opportunity to represent their country.  And kudos to Hope Solo for gracefully handling the situation when Letterman brought up the topic of her all-but-wonderful 2007 World Cup Experience.

The ladies then take it outside to kick some balls at some taxis. Typical in New York, I'm sure.

Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres.  Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The Morning After: US vs. Japan Women's World Cup Final

The Morning After is a recurring piece highlighting matches the morning after or whenever we get around to posting it. This edition of Morning After focuses on the Women's World Cup final between the US and Japan.

---

By Kayla


No matter which side you were cheering for, everyone was treated to a wonderfully entertaining World Cup final today.


Another dramatic game from the US brought about a different result for the #1 ranked team in the world.  Gaining and losing the lead twice and losing to Japan in the penalty shootout placed the Lady Nats in second in the Women's World Cup.  The game stayed 0-0 through the first half and into the second, with several close goals on the US's part.  Alex Morgan, who substituted in for an injured Lauren Cheney after the half, was responsible for the first goal for the US in the 68th minute.  Aya Miyama of Japan then scored in the 80th minute to equalize and keep hope alive for Japan.  After the game rolled into extra time, Abby Wambach put another goal into the net with another deadly header to pull the US back into the lead at 2-1 in the 104th minute.  Homare Sawa then responded in the 117th minute with a wonderful goal that put the game into penalty kicks.

Unfortunately for the US, this was not the same team that took penalty kicks against Brazil in the quarter finals.  The ladies that were calm, cool, and confident just a week ago today, seemed tired, rushed, and unsure.  Shannon Boxx took the first penalty kick that was easily blocked by Japan's keeper Ayumi Kaihori.  Carli Lloyd followed Boxx and launched her kick above the cross bar.  Tobin Heath failed to convert her kick in a similar fashion as Boxx, leaving Abby Wambach to show the only ounce of composure as she slotted her kick into the goal.  Hope Solo managed to save one kick by Yuki Nagasato, but it was not enough to save the US.  Japan claimed the title for the first time for their country, and no one can deny that it was well-earned after eliminating the hosts Germany, Sweden, and finally the US.

Despite the disappointing penalty effort from the US, the US ladies played an excellent campaign and managed to rally a country behind their efforts, including the Commander in Chief himself.  The Lady Nats have nothing to hang their heads about, and after the outpouring of appreciation and support, I'm sure they will return to the US with their heads held high.

Any monumental tournament like World Cup captures the attention of people who normally would not pay attention to the sport.  Soon after, it fades away from the forefront of the minds of society and things return to normal.  Let's hope in the case of the US ladies, they have gained new loyal fans that will not only continue to cheer them on, but also help bolster the financially suffering domestic league here in the US.


Images: Getty

Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The CAB's Video of the Day: Pia Sundhage Singing Simon & Garfunkel

It's self-explanatory. The video of the day is a footy video for your enjoyment.  Enjoy!

---



By Kayla

Ahead of the Women's World Cup final, the US ladies have been making the rounds with the media.  In a press conference in Frankfurt Pia Sundhage talked about her laid back approach to coaching.  To demonstrate this, Sundhage began singing Simon & Garfunkel's "Feeling Groovy".

Now if we could only get Bob Bradley to sing at press conferences.


Video: YouTube 


Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The Morning After: US vs. France Women's World Cup Semi-Final

The Morning After is a recurring piece highlighting matches the morning after or whenever we get around to posting it. This edition of Morning After focuses on the US's World Cup semi-final over France to send them through to the final for the first time since 1999.

---

By Kayla 

After the dramatic match against Brazil, the US were ready to take on France.  Although probably not as challenging as the Brazil match, France still put up a great fight and had the US play hard for the entire duration of the match.

The scoring started early for the US as Lauren Cheney found the back of the twine, but France were not ready to give up.  France gained the upper hand as the first half waned, forcing Hope Solo to make some crucial saves to keep the US ahead.  Particularly in the 30th minute, France had several close chances to equalize early on, while Abby Wambach had a headed attempt that was just off the frame late in the first half.  Persistence paid off for the French ladies as they equalized in the 55th minute with a Sonia Bompastor goal.

Just as the US ladies looked to be in trouble, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe were subbed in and brought fresh legs to the squad, helping the US gain control of the game once again.  Shortly after Abby Wambach came through for the US and put them in the lead with a headed goal in the 79th minute.  Alex Morgan set the US victory in stone with a third goal only three minutes later.  They held on for 10 more minutes to win the match 3-1.

Japan also won 3-1 in their semi-final match against Sweden.  Japan and the US will face each other in the final on Sunday, the first ever for Japan and the first for the US since 1999.

Many people will have their eyes focused on the final on Sunday to see if the US ladies pull out another win to take home the Cup, but it seems they want a particular person to be present for their potential win.  In the midst of the US ladies partaking in many telephone and video interviews, the ladies revealed they have invited President Barrack Obama to be present for the festivities on Sunday. 

I'm sure if Obama does attend, he will not be disappointed with this talented group of ladies.  Oh, and at the request of Megan Rapinoe, make sure you have plenty of room for the sqaud on Air Force One for the ride back home.

Images: Getty

Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com

The Morning After: US vs. Brazil Women's World Cup Showdown

The Morning After is a recurring piece that highlights matches the morning after they occur. Or whenever we get around to posting the damn thing. This edition focuses on the riveting match between The US and Brazil that resulted in the US moving to the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup currently going on in Germany. 

---

By Kayla & Jacen


If you missed yesterday's quarter final match between the US and Brazil in the Women's World Cup, you're definitely kicking yourself by now.
The US ladies treated us to one of the most heroic and surely historic matches in a World Cup. A match full of ups and downs for both teams and some controversial calls ended in a dramatic penalty shootout that propelled the US Women to the semi-finals and to the forefront of the minds of Americans.

Brazil's Aline taking on Abby Wambach

The match started great for the Lady Nats 74 seconds in when the Brazilian defender Daiane scored an own goal in a failed attempt to deflect a Shannon Boxx cross.  The 1-0 lead was held through the first half as the US dominated Brazil.  Brazil started showing signs of frustration at the end of the 1st half and both teams returned from the 2nd half just as they left in the 1st.  Trouble struck for the US in the 65th minute, when Rachel Buehler was sent off with a straight red card for a phantom foul on Brazilian standout Marta in the box.  Cristiane stepped forward to take the penalty, which was saved by Hope Solo.  The celebration of the wonderful deflection was cut short by the referee Jacqui Melksham calling what appeared to be encroachment on the US's part and resulting in a Hope Solo yellow card due to her arguing vehemently.  Marta stepped up to take the second penalty which she coolly slotted by Hope Solo to even the score 1-1.  The composure of the US started to slip as the Brazilian's began dominating in possession.  Playing with only 10 players started taking its toll as the US began showing signs of exhaustion as the clock wound down to end regulation time.  Extra time began and two minutes in Marta scored the goal that seemed to be the end of the US's World Cup campaign, a controversial incident since it appeared Maurine, who made the pass to Marta, was offside.  The goal was followed by desperate attempts to equalize from the US and time-wasting tactics from Brazil, including a feigned injury from Erika that resulted in a yellow card after she hopped off the stretcher and ran back on the pitch.

Time ticked away quickly as we saw more failed attempts by the US to score.  Then the latest goal to ever occur in a Women's World Cup match came from a moment of brillance from a Megan Rapinoe cross to a Abby Wambach header into the twine.  Abby Wambach's equalizer mirrored the same moment of genius from Landon Donovan's equalizing goal last summer in the final group stage match against Algeria that placed them at the top of their group and sent them to the knockout round of the Men's World Cup.  After the last minute of extra time, the score remained 2-2 and the game continued into penalty kicks.

Rachel Buehler's Red Card

Any penalty shootout is a nerve-wrecking experience, but it felt especially so for the US fans who sought justice after a match that was anything but fair.  The US ladies were confident as Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Kreiger each stepped forward and successfully converted each penalty kick.  The first two penalty kicks from the Brazilian ladies came low and left, and once Daiane stepped forward and kicked hers in a similar fashion, Hope Solo quickly dove to deflect it.  Alex Kreiger's converted kick sealed the victory for the US as cheers erupted in the stadium and all over the world.  Quite the way to celebrate the 12 year anniversary of the US women winning the 1999 World Cup in similar fashion when they defeated China in penalty kicks.

Abby Wambach and Hope Solo were the heroes of the match, but Hope Solo had more at stake than any of the other Yankettes.  Hope Solo was benched in the 2007 Women's World Cup semi-final against Brazil in favor of Brianna Scurry, despite the fact that Hope Solo had only allowed two goals in four games in the campaign up until that point and keeping a clean sheet in the previous three matches.  Brianna Scurry was selected for the match because of her experience even though she had not played a full match in three month's time.  The result was a 4-0 loss that eliminated the US from the competition.  Hope Solo gave an emotional interview after the match that she issued an apology for the following day as her response to the match came across as criticism directed at then coach Greg Ryan and Brianna Scurry.  A backlash occurred and Solo's international career appeared to be over.  Fate had other plans for Solo as a new coach brought a new chance.  In the four matches between the 2007 and 2011 World Cup meetings with Brazil, Hope Solo held clean sheets all four times and proved she is worthy of facing the Brazilians.  Yesterday's match cemented that fact as she showed confidence and poise in the penalty shootout and contributed to the hard-fought victory for the US. 

Hope Solo's saving Daiane's penalty kick

The victory not only keeps the US women's World Cup dreams alive, but also gives a much needed boost to US Soccer as a whole.  After a disappointing Gold Cup final from the men, when they lost 4-2 to Mexico after gaining a 2-0 lead, the Lady Nats have pumped up the spirits of US soccer fans everywhere.  The ladies will face France in the semi-final on Wednesday, and the winner will proceed to the final on Sunday.  After the match that was fit for a final, the US are more than ready to face France. 


Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog.  She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com