U.S. makes goalkeeping switch ahead of semifinal
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 | 10:01 AM ET
CBC Sports
Briana Scurry will replace Hope Solo as starting goalkeeper when the United States meets Brazil in the semifinals of the FIFA Women's World Cup Thursday in Hangzhou, China (CBC, 7:15 a.m. ET).
U.S. coach Greg Ryan announced his surprising decision on Wednesday, benching Solo, 25, in favour of the 36-year-old Scurry, who made the decisive save in the Americans' win during a penalty shootout in the 1999 World Cup final.
U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo will be on the bench against Brazil.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Solo started the first four games for the U.S. of this tournament — three wins and a draw with only two goals against — but Ryan said he made the change because Scurry is unbeaten against Brazil and because she has quicker reflexes.
"The way the Brazilians play in terms of creating off the dribble in the penalty box and making a goalkeeper make reaction-type saves, I think Bri is the best goalkeeper in the world in those situations," Ryan said.
"Hope's been our starter but we knew that Bri would be ready if called upon. She knew there were certain types of games that I felt like Bri would be the keeper," added Ryan.
But will Ryan go back to Solo for the final in the U.S. beats Brazil?
"I don't know," said the American coach.
"I was very taken aback, but that's the nature of sports and it happens. He has his reasons," Solo said of Ryan's decision.
Scurry was between the posts the last two times the U.S. played Brazil: a 2-0 victory in June in New York, and the 2004 Olympic final, which the Americans won 2-1 in extra time.
The top-ranked U.S., unbeaten in its last 51 games, enters the semifinal showdown on the strength of a 3-0 win over England in the quarter-finals.
The Americans, winners of this competition in 1991 and 1999, expect a physical contest, much like their previous meeting with Brazil in June when the referee issued seven yellow cards. Unlike that game, however, the South Americans will have Marta, the reigning FIFA world player of the year, in the lineup.
"Marta wasn't there then but she is one of the most talented players in the world. Her presence on the field will make them a much more dangerous team attacking-wise," Ryan said.
Marta is tied with Norway's Ragnhild Gulbrandsen for the tournament scoring lead with five goals, and scored from the penalty spot in Brazil's 3-2 victory over Australia in the previous round.
Brazil jumped out to a 2-0 lead over Australia, but needed a goal from Cristiane in the 75th minute to earn a 3-2 victory.
"The U.S. are an excellent team, they have many quality players. We are working with our players to keep their concentration the full 90 minutes to avoid the mistakes we made against Australia in defence," Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos said.
Thursday's winner faces reigning world champion Germany in the final in Shanghai on Sunday (CBC, 7:15 a.m. ET), while the loser meets Norway in the bronze-medal match (CBC, 4:45 a.m. ET). Both games will be streamed live on CBCSports.ca.
Germany defeated Norway 3-0 Wednesday in the semifinals.
With files from Associated Press
