Hope Solo Proves Herself a 'Pure Loser and Lout'

Goalkeeper Hope Solo had some thoughts on the Swedish team that knocked the US women's soccer team out of the Rio Olympics on Friday. "A bunch of cowards," she tweeted. Sally Jenkins at the Washington Post had some thoughts of her own. She calls out Solo for a lack of composure and grace and for her "irradiated blot-out-the-sun ego." While Solo looks to place blame for the historic loss elsewhere, Jenkins knows exactly in whose direction to look. She points out Solo gave up three goals in regulation over the past two matches, not to mention the winning penalty kick on Friday, all while "undermining [the team's] collective equilibrium."

Jenkins says Solo has a history of bringing "nasty unwanted drama" to Team USA. Winning has made it less of an issue, but no longer. She says it's fitting that the conservative game plan that so frustrated Solo came from current Sweden coach and former US coach Pia Sundhage, who had to put up with so much from Solo over the years, including Solo lashing out after being benched, testing positive for drugs, and engaging in a very public feud with Team USA legend Brandi Chastain. In defeat Friday, Solo finally exposed herself for the "pure loser and lout" she is, Jenkins says. Read the full piece here. (More Hope Solo stories.)