Hope Solo didn't exactly buy into the spirit of the Olympic Games last night after the USA goalkeeper branded opponents Sweden "a bunch of cowards".
The US were dumped out of the competition on penalties against their Swedish counterparts and Solo said that on the night, the better side lost.
"I thought we played a courageous game. I thought we had many opportunities on goal," she said.
"I think we showed a lot of heart. We came back from a goal down, I’m very proud of this team. And I also think we played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today, I strongly, firmly believe that."
The 35-year-old was asked to clarify what she meant by the term cowards and replied: "They didn’t want to open play. They didn’t want to pass the ball. They didn’t want to play great soccer. It was a combative game, a physical game ... And they tried to counter with longballs."
Speaking to Sports Illustrated she added: "Tonight Sweden found a way to beat us. Nevertheless, I am so proud of the way we played tonight, our fight, our heart, and the skill we showed. Things don’t always go the way you want them to. Such is life, and such is sport."
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