US benched former goalie for Cup semifinals
Updated: 2007-09-27 17:19
"I was very taken back, but that's the nature of sports and it happens," Solo said. "He has his reasons."
Ryan said he talked with Scurry several months ago about playing in the World Cup if Brazil were the opponent.
"She (Solo) knew there were certain types of games that I felt like Bri would be the keeper," Ryan said.
Asked if Solo would return in the final if the United States defeats Brazil, Ryan replied: "I don't know."
Scurry acknowledged the move caught many off-guard.
"I think some people might find it to be unusual, but I'm getting my opportunity now and I'm not really concerned about what has happened in the past."
Scurry caught Ryan's eye in practice.
"I have been playing incredibly well," she said. "I kept myself in shape, kept myself on my toes and sharp. So he just decided it was going to be me."
Former US captain Julie Foudy, a soccer analyst on ESPN, was skeptical of the change after hearing Ryan explain it.
"I think Bri will be fine, and the move will be fine," Foudy said. "But I just think it becomes a distraction when you're too focused on that rather than the game. To me it's a sign of worrying too much about the opponent."
She couldn't recall a similar move in a high-profile tournament — men or women.
"I just think sometimes you can overthink things," she said. "Maybe that was the case, but if he pulls it off maybe it's hailed as a great move.
"I think Bri is fine. But it's more the team chemistry issue and how Hope rebounds if you want her, and the fact that Bri hasn't been playing that much."
Ryan was asked if benching Solo, who has played 52 times internationally for the United States, would hurt her long-term confidence.
"That's not our concern," Ryan said. "We came here trying to win a world championship; put the players on the field that we thought could win each game."
Scurry has played 163 times for the United State, but has been the No 2 recently, and she hasn't played a full game in three months.
She's been in goal in the last two games against Brazil: a 2-0 victory in June in New York, and the 2004 Olympic final, which the Americans won 2-1 in extra time. It was Scurry's goalkeeping that allowed the US team, outplayed in the game, to take the gold.
"She'll be ready, wait and see," Ryan said.
In Germany's 3-0 victory, an own-goal by Trine Ronning just before halftime set Germany on its way, and it dominated the second half with goals from Kerstin Stegemann and Martina Mueller. Germamy has not been scored on in 529 minutes, dating back to the 2003 tournament. That broke the record of 442 minutes in 1999 and 2003.
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