Hope Solo’s post-game interview after the USWNT lost the 2007 World Cup semifinal to Brazil, which was posted on ESPN’s website, sparked controversy.But the most memorable part happened immediately after the game. As the players walked through the unavoidable mixed zone filled with media, a reporter asked Solo how she felt about not playing. Solo was blunt in her assessment: “It was the wrong decision, and I think anyone who knows anything about the game knows that. There’s no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves.” She added: “It doesn’t matter what somebody did in an Olympic gold-medal game three years ago.”
Before the modern day, where a video clip “going viral” is something that seems to happen every day, the clip of Solo’s comment on ESPN’s website really spread like wildfire — and it especially spread throughout the U.S. squad. Solo was effectively kicked off the team after most of her teammates ostracized her for crossing the line of publicly criticizing a teammate. She eventually was brought back in the fold and Ryan was fired but, well, you could write a whole book about what happened there, or at least a couple chapters — ahem.
2. After devastating earthquake and tsunami, Japan triumphs (2011)
There are plenty of moments from the Women’s World Cup that are memorable on sporting merits, but this one transcends sports entirely.
In 2011, Japan was hit with a devastating earthquake and tsunami that led to a death toll estimated to be as high as 20,000. The earthquake was one of the most powerful ever recorded in human history, and the ensuing tsunami displaced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes and led to the nuclear disaster at the power plant in Fukushima.
When the Japanese women’s national team, nicknamed Nadeshiko, embarked on the Women’s World Cup only three months later, expectations weren’t very high. After all, Japan had only gotten as far as the group stage in the previous three Women’s World Cups and weren’t remotely considered favorites going into it.
But Japan surprised everyone with their slick tiki-taka ball movement and possession, and their organized, disciplined style of play made them difficult to break down. Back in Japan, people rallied around the team, finding respite and taking pride in the performances of the Nadeshiko. During the tournament, Japan coach Norio Sasaki even showed images of the devastation back home to players during team meetings to remind them that they were playing for more than themselves.
