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Hope Solo’s senseless Twitter fight with Brandi Chastain

Jul 28, 2012, 7:07 PM EDT

28 Comments

The Olympics have started gloriously for Pia Sundhage’s team. In fact, given such a rousing Opening Ceremonies just south of the U.S. women’s quarters, seen by record numbers, and such a promising start in the side’s reach for gold, things could only be better for the first ladies of American soccer if it were actually raining rose petals at their Glasgow base.

So, why are we talking about a petty and unflattering public spat – one that has nothing much behind it?

Because U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo has made it that way.

Read up … and then meet me at the bottom of the Twitter screen grab.

source:

.

That is Solo swinging away at NBC soccer analyst Brandi Chastain. And that is Solo being her outspoken self, which isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes things need to be said.

(MORE: Jenna Pel’s analysis of Saturday’s contest)

The trouble is that Hope has no filter – and sometimes things don’t necessarily need to be said. Or, perhaps, they need to be handled quietly, through back channels, with greater subtlety and less social media amplification.Solo was quite vocal in criticism for then-coach Greg Ryan back in 2007. She has also used Twitter to “have a go” at WPS and at magicJack.

(Full disclosure: this blog is an NBC property; NBC is the U.S. Olympics rights holder, of course)

Now Chastain is the target of her social media rancor. We could have a lively discussion about Chastain as a broadcaster, and there is surely some history between Chastain and Sundhage, which means that agendas could be in play in the conversation. That’s all fair to talk about – but it’s something beside the point here.

Because if Chastain spewed something Saturday worthy of such outrage, I sure missed it. A quick canvas of social media shows that others did, as well. Chastain has been critical here and there of the U.S. run-up to the summer games, but there was little venom in her appraisals Saturday.

This was about the worst of it, what Chastain said about defender Rachel Buehler’s responsibilities: ”Defend. Win the ball. And then keep possession. And that’s something that Rachel Buehler actually needs to, I think, improve on in this tournament.”

The acrimonious Tweets came so quickly after Saturday’s final whistle, Solo almost certainly didn’t hear any of the broadcast herself. This is probably about old wounds, or it’s about bad information provided by someone beyond the team.

source: Getty Images

Either way, Solo looks rather petty in this one. Chastain had lots of good and a few bad things to say about the United States, which prevailed comfortably over Colombia.

It could be this “new guard” and “old guard” issue at work; Chastain was among the heroes of another day.

But is that really so important with bigger fish and chips to fry in the UK? There is an Olympic gold medal at stake, and presumably some most of the other U.S. players and staff don’t give a five-ringed hoot about what Chastain says to audiences back home, within reason, of course. They may roll their eyes a bit, but they understand that firing back on Twitter does zero for the greater gold-chasing good, so they move professionally forward.

Why would America’s No. 1 in goal potentially jeopardize team chemistry and create a wholly unnecessary distraction on such an inconsequential issue?

Good question. Maybe Solo can provide some answers; we hear Twitter is good for stuff like that.

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  1. schlom - Jul 28, 2012 at 7:30 PM

  2. sabatimus - Jul 28, 2012 at 7:45 PM

    Appropriate to say or not, Chastain SUCKS BAD.

    • ms72lbc - Jul 28, 2012 at 8:44 PM

      Agreed. She keeps interrupting Arlo with petty BS and she really doesn’t understand how soccer is being played today.

    • kgg6 - Jul 29, 2012 at 3:56 PM

      Regardless, Solo did it because she’s a attention whore. Too sad that such low life scum is taken as a role model by a bunch of young girls.

      • florida727 - Jul 30, 2012 at 9:07 AM

        Absolutely agree with “kgg6″. Hope Solo must figure that since so little attention is being paid to her during the course of the game, she has to spout off to DRAW attention to herself. That’s the very definition of “attention whore”.

        Hope, shut up. Whether Chastain is or is not a good “broadcaster” is irrelevant. Does anyone really listen to the “analyst” on a soccer broadcast anyway?

  3. mrpaisley - Jul 28, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    Okay, first, it’s not just Hope. Let’s clear that up, many, MANY people were not too keen on Chastain’s attacks against the US, when it seems that there is really nothing the USWNT could do to PLEASE her.

    Second, it’s not even really a story. Hope tweeted out in anger, against Chastain, who has always been incredibly critical of the USWNT since leaving. Mind you, the game ended 3 – 0… seems like the defense held their own.

    Finally, when everything is said and done, you need to support the legacy you leave behind, not continue to try and hurt it and stay at the top a game you’ve long since retired from – . . . in my opinion. Every team is going to retire a squad, and leave it to a new batch of young hopefuls. At some point, the team will experiment with new faces, try new formations, and shake things up a bit. You can’t just, not expect change, and be willing to embrace and support it. It’s still your team, even if you aren’t playing on it anymore.

    Then again, it’s really a not-story anyways…

  4. ditto65 - Jul 28, 2012 at 9:02 PM

    Pedals are on a bike; petals are from a flower.

  5. mogogo1 - Jul 28, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    It’s beyond ironic that somebody who has no filter like Hope Solo would take offense at somebody else saying something critical of others. Pot meet kettle. And Solo needs to realize that they’re not employing Chastain to “grow the sport” or be a fan of the current US team.

    • Steve Davis - Jul 28, 2012 at 10:03 PM

      Thanks for pointing that out, about Chastain’s role. You’re are 100 percent spot on (about both … but even more about Chastain’s job)

  6. spankygreen - Jul 28, 2012 at 10:03 PM

    Solo has been a smelly tart with me ever since the B. Scurry incident. Didn’t respect her much then and even less now……GO TEAM USA……minus Solo……

    • mrpaisley - Jul 29, 2012 at 1:16 AM

      Uh, Scurry was shit in that game, and Solo had proven herself throughout her career up til that point. . .

  7. gmk17 - Jul 28, 2012 at 11:35 PM

    I could’t believe how many times she argued or disagreed with her co-host during the game. It was embarrassing and I thought that Arlo really took the high road as it happened.

  8. timb12 - Jul 29, 2012 at 12:35 AM

    This reminds me of Team USA’s men’s basketball team. They can win by 20, but in order for it to be news there need to be things they can improve on. I’m sure she was saying that that kind of defense wouldn’t hold up against tougher competition. They both need to cool it down, but I’m excited for the cat fight.

  9. kappy32 - Jul 29, 2012 at 12:52 AM

    Solo is the most overrated player in the history of women’s soccer. Brandi Chastain is an idol, Solo isn’t. When Solo leads her team to a championship, then we can talk.

  10. Chris Ross - Jul 29, 2012 at 2:09 AM

    Surprised Hope Solo would go after a commentator like that, especially after a 3-0 win. I don’t know what Hope Solo thougth she was doing with those tweets but I’m not sure America is going to take to those comments so well. Women’s sports aren’t all that respected to start with and you start whining about criticism. Doesn’t seem all that bright to me on her part.

    http://chrisross91.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/mission-not-accomplished-hope-solo/

  11. yoyojimbog - Jul 29, 2012 at 3:40 AM

    Chiming in to say Brandi Chastain has not been a good commentator. Her comments come off more as someone grasping for something to say without much reason behind what she is saying. What she has offered is often dry and banal with an extra mix recently of being outclassed by Arlo. I would not read into too much of what she says simply because it is her job to fill airtime and given her lack of commentating skills some dumb stuff is sure to come out.

    The best example is to pay attention to when there is a disagreement with whether a play is actually a foul or not, hint: Brandi is usually wrong.

  12. daweadilx - Jul 29, 2012 at 6:18 AM

    way to represent your country you two. nice work!

  13. redblue560 - Jul 29, 2012 at 7:11 AM

    I did not see Chastain’s broadcast commentary, my opinion here is of general point of view.

    It is bad that commentators are sometimes so fixated with their opionion, bias, like or hate of a particular athlete or sports team that they loose ability to be sport objective. Example: In Golf,
    Ernie Els have not won a major since 2002 until the 2012 British Open, that is a long stretch but when
    Tiger Woods plays, commentators make a big issue of him not winning a major in what, 4 or 5 years.
    Most of the time, I just turn down the TV volume and watch how the play evolve, I am fed up with
    commentaries that is of personal nature and non golf related.

    NBA Basketball: During the finals, all you hear is how the Miami Heat is overwhelming the Thunders, how great their offense and defense are working at the right time. How about equal time for the Thunders, they are the other team playing deserving recognition for being Western Conference champion who beat out the Mavs, the Lakers, the Spurs.

  14. footballer4ever - Jul 29, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    I was going to post a long and elaborate on my impressions about solo, but then I realize she’s not worth it…..others will realize that if she keeps that unprofessional attitude. There’s time for everything and twitter world is for people who dare to voice their opinions , but would not do the same in front of the same person. SMH

  15. robseam - Jul 29, 2012 at 1:12 PM

    Brandi Chastain, while a great player, also had a reputation as a bit of a prima donna. (first hand account from someone who played with her while she was in college) I think Hope is sticking up for her team mates here and is just tired of what she feels like is unnecessary sharpshooting from the sidelines.

    Arlo is a great broadcaster and has been a huge pickup for NBC. Brandi has not really helped the broadcast much as far as I’m concerned. I like Arlo and Kyle Martino’s work but NBC is having a hard time finding a good female color commentator to work alongside Arlo.

    • florida727 - Jul 30, 2012 at 9:13 AM

      Question… why do they have to have a good FEMALE broadcaster to work alongside Arlo? I have over 2,000 hours in front of a television camera. I know what makes a good broadcast, and what makes a lousy one. Why these networks are so insistent on having EX-athletes as “expert analysts” is beyond me. Most athletes ONLY know the game from their position/perspective. Get a former successful COACH if you want someone who understands the TOTAL game… whether they have name recognition or not, they’d be better on-air.

  16. themajorleagueblog - Jul 29, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    Gasp, this blog is an NBC property. I’m shocked, absolutely shocked.

    Seriously though, Hope Solo needs to stop being a self-involved narcissist and focus on the games. Chastain is an American icon, with one of the most recognisable moments in USSF history, but she’s just another detractor of the media. Just shrug it off and take criticism

  17. njsurfchick - Jul 29, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    Footy commentators, commentary, personalities etc. aside: Nobody’s mentioned that her autobiography is due to drop in a couple of weeks. She’s always had a big mouth, but this certainly can’t hurt her book sales and I’m sure her publisher has to be cheering her on at this point.

  18. boscoesworld - Jul 29, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    Most of you are far off base. BC’s job is not to lick the boots of the current players. She does not have all of the skill yet but will given time. My view on her words in that game were this. Spot on about Rachel Buehler. Win the ball but don’t just send it blindly up the field only to be lost. Thats wrong? Her take on the USWNT not using proper tactics to end a game. BINGO. Please think back on how they “tried” to finish the world cup. Not pretty and not tactically sound. Those were not by any means unreasonable comments. How that was turned into what Solo percieved I have no clue but Solo is way wrong in this case. Like Chastain or not.

  19. klownboy - Jul 30, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    Hope Solo = the Terrell Owens of soccer
    http://wp.me/p1gCK6-r7

  20. footballer4ever - Jul 30, 2012 at 5:43 PM

    “Why these networks are so insistent on having EX-athletes as “expert analysts” is beyond me. ”

    As you might already know, the answer is ratings. They figure having a knolwdgeable, smart and well spoken broadcaster is not enough to be compelling to the public that they must bring a sports celibrity regardless of content, substance or ability. If what they were looking to spice things up was to bring a controversial person to the booth to rile things up, then they are getting what they are going for.

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