U.S. women turn to Scurry

The U.S. women's national team faces Brazil on Thursday in the World Cup semifinals and the Americans will have a familiar face in goal. Veteran Briana Scurry will get the nod in goal ahead of regular starter Hope Solo.

U.S. coach Greg Ryan stated that Brazil's style of play and ability to get plenty of shots from close range led him to start Scurry, who he deemed the best in the world at making reaction saves. Another factor that probably played a part in the decision is the fact that Scurry has never lost to Brazil while Solo has never faced Brazil.

For those of you who missed it, Germany booked its place in the final with a 3-0 victory against Norway. Germany did dominate but the scoreline was a bit misleading. The three goals came courtesy of an own goal, deflected shot and shocking defensive error. That said, Germany will be tough to beat in the final.

What do you think of the decision to start Scurry? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Tony M]

It's the right move. Hope Solo (which may be the best name ever for a keeper) has been a bit of an adventure. I think you'll see Scurry for the remainder of the Cup

[Joamiq]

Hope Solo has been a bit of an adventure, but find me a keeper in the women's game who's not. Spot starting a keeper against a certain team seems ridiculous.

[Jeff]

I agree Scurry is the better matchup - but what about chemistry? The USA is in the groove and now you are putting in a new player and messing up both chemistry and communication with the back line.

[Tony M]

"Hope Solo has been a bit of an adventure, but find me a keeper in the women's game who's not."

He did.

I agree spot starting is a potential disaster. But I think it's an excuse to make the switch. I just don't see Scurry making the mistakes Solo does.

[andy b.]

Biggest part of the story for me is what happens AFTER this game. We can't know what Solo & Ryan's relationship is like behind-the-scenes, but it'd be hard for Solo not to take this as something of a slap in the face. There's no question that she is the keeper of the future-- and, most people believed, the present. What'll this mean for Solo when Ryan asks her to start in the next big game? Gee, Coach, does she only get the easy games, or what?

[EdTheRed]

You see, Solo? This is what happens when you don't pay Jabba his money...

[Dominghosa]

ah! beat me to it EdtheRed!

[Brian K.]

This change is a mistake. This is a classic case of over coaching. Andy B. is correct,...what happens after this game?

[Dominghosa]

By 20 parsecs!

[kpugs]

Hope Solo hasn't allowed a goal in over 300 minutes. The first game of the tournament wasn't it pouring rain? The conditions were terrible.

Scurry is a legend, but as a coach how can you change keepers in the middle of the World Cup? That's something you experiment with in friendlies and qualifiers. You don't make the switch for the semi-freakin-final.

[Joamiq]

We can only hope you're right, Tony. If Scurry makes a mistake, US Soccer should pull a Ryan and fire him immediately even if the US advances.

[Tony M]

I guess I have not been impressed with Solo. I remember a couple of times seeing her weakly punch at crosses and thinking that Scurry would have done better. Obviously, I hope I’m right too – not because I like being right, but because I want the Chick Nats to win. But I really don’t think that Solo is primarily responsible for the 300 minutes. Frankly, I think it has much more to do with Boxx giving shape and taking pressure off the defense.

[Sandro]

If the US wins people will say it is a great move. If the US loses the coach will take the brunt of this decision. Overall Scurry is a great goalkeeper. Hopefully the manager has spoken with Hope Solo on why he made the change and hopefully the chemistry is still intact. Let's go USA!!! Avenge the men's US Vs Brazil game ;)

[Andrew]

Ryan has coached scared the entire tournament. For the manager of the best team in the world, this is pathetic. His lack of substitutions, overly defensive midfield, and now change of goalkeeper wreak of a manager who is afraid of losing. He is coaching not to lose. When you have the talent and experience of the US women, the manager should not have this disposition. If the US win, it will be despite of Ryan.

[Tony M]

Ryan has not impressed me. But I think this team is fairly ordinary (by our standards) without Abby. I think being more defensive and relying on Abby is an understandable response to the Korea game.

[ag nigrin]

It is a lose-lose situation for Ryan IMHO... If the USWNT beats Brazil.. people will say they were supposed to...if the USA loses...then Ryan will look like Bantha Podo (poop)... Replacing Solo to me was a dumb move...but I still hope the US blasts the Samba gals!

[mbrose]

In my opinion this is a bad move.

Despite what some people are saying about Solo, she has been the primary goal keeper for this team over the last 3 years as the team has remained undefeated. That's an incredible record. She has 3 shutouts in this world cup alone, all against good teams.

Scurry has worked hard to make the team, and that's great. But Solo has given Ryan no reason to remove her as the keeper. Scurry has not played a full match at this level in I don't even know how long, and although she is a great keeper, her past is not without the occasional gaffe.

Color me scared!

[Sean]

Who says the US will get to the final Ives?

[Ives]

Not me.

[Forrest]

This looks like a coach over analyzing the situation to me. Anyone remember when Guus Hiddink unexpectantly changed goalkeepers in the World Cup last summer in their last group stage game? That was about the only mistake he made while coaching Australia, and it almost kept them from going through to the knock out rounds. This decision doesn't bode well for the US.

[Tony M]

I was wrong...what a disaster...

[Joamiq]

The second yellow card on Boxx was one of the worst calls I have EVER seen. It made MLS officiating look good, and that's saying a lot.

[Brian K]

Beating Brazil was never a certainty but...it sounds like the US was in a funk from the get-go. I think the GK change set the USA back before the first whistle was blown.

[Neumannator]

Good call, coach.

[Peter Bering]

Well, the US and Norway were thoroughly outplayed by Brazil and Germany. It shows that women's football has finally passed the stage of feminist pioneering. Good.