Former USWNT G Hope Solo, who is running for U.S. Soccer President, is "positioning herself as 'the candidate of change,'" according to Ann Killon of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Solo in her first interview since announcing her candidacy said, “I realize I need to do more. There’s no reason to stop fighting for all the things I fought for while I was an employee of U.S. Soccer.” Solo said that she has "received enormous support in her recent weeks of campaigning and connecting with delegates." She said, "People’s opinions about me change when they meet me or talk to me directly. Some of the conversations have been hard, but people understand that my intentions are correct in running.” One of Solo’s priorities is "addressing inequities in the youth soccer system and the 'pay-to-play' culture that leaves too many promising players on the sidelines." Killon noted representatives of youth soccer "make up a quarter of the voting delegates." Solo: “U.S. Soccer will do anything to protect their own means and vision and not necessarily do what their constituents want. There are incredible conflicts of interest” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/7).
WHERE'S THE MONEY COMING FROM? SI.com's Grant Wahl noted four of the USSF presidential candidates -- Paul Caligiuri, Carlos Cordeiro, Solo and Michael Winograd -- said that they have "funded their campaigns entirely out of their own pockets." But there is "nothing in U.S. Soccer’s rules against receiving financial support for the campaign, including travel costs." Soccer United Marketing President Kathy Carter said that "she and her partner, David Linn, are funding her campaign." Steve Gans said that he has "funded his campaign with his own money and with limited contributions from three friends." Kyle Martino "provided the names of six donors, all but one of whom said they had no business before U.S. Soccer." Eric Wynalda said that his top three financial backers "were two family members, who have no business before U.S. Soccer," and NASL club Miami FC Owner and MP & Silva Founder & President Riccardo Silva (SI.com, 1/5).
