This site is devoted to fellow Hope Solo fans and I usually don’t post anything that fuels any sort of rumor mill or drama but I do feel it is important to address this situation as a fan that is doing her part to grow the popularity of Hope Solo (and women’s soccer).
Like so many others, I have been a fan of women’s soccer since the renowned victory in the World Cup Final in ’99. The players that made up that team undoubtedly and undeniably paved the way and put women’s soccer on the map making several of their key players household names. No sports fan, old or new can deny the 99ers of their due praise for paving the way for women’s soccer today.
However, the face of women’s soccer is a completely different battle today. Last year, during the 2011 Women’s World Cup, our national soccer team once again captivated the attention of our nation as they competed in the final again. Though the team wasn’t victorious, several members of the team, like the 99ers before them, became household names. To this day, these women are doing everything in their power to maintain a steady growth of the sport’s popularity in hopes that their legacy will leave behind more than two unsuccessful attempts at professional women’s soccer leagues and the World Cup win in ’99.
Though it is incredibly evident that the current women’s national team is eternally thankful for the foundation the 99ers laid out for them, it is just as evident that they would like to write their own story of victory and triumph. It is my belief that everyone involved with women’s soccer, both past and present, should do everything in their to represent the growing sport with a positive attitude.
I have been an athlete and sports fan my entire life and as such, I know that it is a commentator’s job to assess and analyze the team’s tactical approach to the game in a way that entertains and informs the audience. Criticism is inevitable but it is important that the criticism be accurate and creditable.
Brandi Chastain’s commentary to me, and other members of the social media (obviously), comes off to me as very dry, unanimated, and pessimistic despite the team’s recent triumph. Her undesirable tone and comments could be detrimental to the growth of interest in women’s sports. I asked a follower of the site, and new soccer fan how she felt about the commentary of Chastain and she stated that it made her not want to watch the game, a statement that was made prior to Hope’s tweets which gives her “rant” credible merit. I don’t think Chastain’s commentary overall is beneficial to the growth of women’s soccer and I feel as though that’s the statement Solo was ultimately trying to make.
Now that I have spoken my peace on the subject, let me know what you think. How do you feel about Chastain’s commentary? Do you think Hope’s comments have merit? Do you think she was out of line? Sound off by posting a comment to this post.
Hope Solo Fans 