U.S. women's national soccer team coach Jill Ellis yesterday "stood by her decision" to include G Hope Solo on the roster for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches "despite calls from critics -- including a former teammate -- to leave" her off until a pending domestic assault case is settled, according to Michelle Kaufman of the MIAMI HERALD. NWSL Sky Blue FC G Jillian Loyden "lost her sister to domestic violence." She wrote in an op-ed piece in USA Today: “Speaking out on these issues is not always easy. Hope Solo is my teammate and a personal mentor. But I cannot stand by as young fans receive the message that this behavior -- even if the allegations proved to be inaccurate -- can go unnoticed. U.S. Soccer needs to send the right message. They need to communicate that domestic violence is never okay and that it will not be tolerated. Our league can no longer turn a blind eye to the allegations that Solo assaulted two family members" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/7). In Rochester, Jeff DiVeronica writes, "Good for Loyden. Solo should sit. I'm glad Loyden had the guts to do this. It's very rare for anyone to speak out against the establishment that is a U.S. Soccer" (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 10/7). USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes Solo is a "distraction U.S. Soccer doesn't need." Not only has U.S. Soccer "hidden behind bland statements and 'no comments,' it publicly celebrated Solo when she set a U.S. record for shutouts last month." Armour: "And we wonder why there are still people who don't take domestic abuse seriously" (USA TODAY, 10/7). YAHOO SPORTS' Eric Adelson wrote under the header, "U.S. Soccer Misses Chance To Make A Point by Including Hope Solo For World Cup Qualifying." Nobody should be "surprised at this show of weakness." Ellis and the execs above her "don’t seem to take those responsibilities seriously enough" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/6).
