Hope Solo Suspended For Not Losing Graciously

Love or hate her, Hope Solo, has been a lightening rod for team USA Soccer.

The federation suspended her for six months for calling Sweden, the team that beat them in the Olympics, a bunch of cowards for the way they played (and won) that game. She went on to say the best team did not win that day.

She was suspended for what best could be described as a lack of good sportsmanship.

I don't like soccer. I don't even know why she called out the Swedish team for their style of play, but I do think that as an American citizen she has a legitimate right to free speech when she's asked her opinion after a heated contest, otherwise the media shouldn't be allowed to ask questions of the players.

She didn't do anything except express her opinion. Since when is it a punishable offense to do such a thing? Political correctness has long since went too far in America. It forces people do do things that aren't necessarily right, but just popular at the moment.

Yes, you can lose your job in America for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. It's always been that way. But, if you are asked for your opinion, as long as it's well-reasoned, you should be able to give it. IF they just want you to tow the company line, they should make that clear ahead of time as well.

Hope crossed an invisible boundary with her comments. She can't expect the support of her teammates on this. They might lose their jobs as well for speaking up.

What a bunch of cowards.

What really bothers me about this is that she said she's had a career on this team for 17 years. It just seems wrong that someone who represents this country in international play HAS A JOB doing this. Shouldn't it be volunteer and for a shorter period of time?

When did representing your country in the Olympics become a full-time job that you can be suspended from?

Is that weird or is it just me?

Imagine an NFL player being suspended for a year for saying that another team cheated. Just the opposite happens. They look into the allegations and then suspend the player accused of cheating without a shred of legitimate evidence.

Just like they should.

USA! USA! USA!