Solo running for president of U.S. Soccer Federation
via The Sports Xchange
Estranged United States women’s national team goalkeeper Hope Solo announced on Thursday her candidacy for president of the U.S. Soccer Federation in a personal Facebook post.
Solo was given a six-month suspension from the U.S. national team for comments she made during the Rio Olympics. She called Sweden, the Americans’ quarterfinal opponent, “cowards.”
She criticized the U.S. Soccer Federation’s conduct during a labor dispute with the women’s national team as “historical, immoral and unconscionable.”
She wrote that the federation is “stubborn and elitist,” while outlining her four core campaign principles — creating a winning culture; equality and women’s issues; youth and diversity at all levels; and organizational, operational and financial governance transparency.
“We need passionate and intelligent soccer people leading the way at U.S Soccer,” she wrote. “The business strategy at U.S. Soccer cannot continue to be profit before progress. The heart of what USSF must represent is the development of youth soccer in America.
“What we have lost in America is belief in our system, in our coaches, in our talent pool, and in the governance of U.S. Soccer. We now must refocus our goals and come together as a soccer community to bring about the changes we desire.”
Solo is the most decorated soccer player in U.S. women’s team history, holding national records for appearances, starts, wins and shutouts. She promised to travel the world during her year away from playing, meeting with foreign soccer teams and associations and developing a better feel for what it takes to be a leader.
Solo joins six others including Kathy Carter, the president of Soccer United Marketing, who have announced an intention to run for the presidency. The election to replace Sunil Gulati, who declined this week to run for a fourth term, will be held in February.
The other candidates: Steve Gans, attorney based in Boston; Paul Lapointe, Massachusetts regional director of United Premier Soccer League; Kyle Martino, former professional soccer player and current TV analyst; Michael Winograd, lawyer and former professional player and general manager in the A-League; and Eric Wynalda, former professional soccer player and head coach and current analyst.
