Book 4: Reflection

 

The book I had the pleasure of reading for book four was A Memoir of Hope by Hope Solo. As Hope being the narrator of this book, every word she wrote continued to show us as the reader that she is very outspoken and doesn't hold anything back. One of the most likeable characteristics about Hope is that she is brutally honest. As a trait of hers, in 2007 in the World Cup staged in China, Hope was exiled by her teammates. Prior to the first World Cup game her father ends up passing away in his sleep due to heart complications. As this was very difficult for Hope to overcome, she only took a couple days off from training with her team to honor her father’s death, the one man she loved more than anything and suffered the most emotions from. Although she returned home to Seattle, while she was away from her team in China, she was still training on her own. Returning back to China after those days Greg Ryan, the head coach of the USWNT at the time, had been giving Hope a ton of attitude. So much to the point to where even her teammate began to ask why he was being so harsh. After developing such a powerful why to win the World Cup to honor her father’s death, Greg never once acknowledged the fact what she was dealing with. Greg was about to enter the first phase of what it meant to be the head coach, a leader, of this team. Yet despite his title, he never rose to the occasion, but he continued to take his aggression out on Hope. Two of Hopes teammates, Abby Wambach and Brandi Chastine, both mentioned to Greg Ryan that they felt as if Hope wasn't prepared enough to play in the game against Brazil. In 2004, goal keeper Briana Scurry had made the save to win the game against Brazil, the same team the US was scheduled to play. As that had been 2004, that was three years ago. In the three year difference, Hope had been our starting goal keeper and had all the talent and fitness to show that she was. Greg brought Hope into his hotel room to talk to Hope about this decision of having Bri start in goal in the game that Hope was going to continue the journey to honor her father’s death.  During the whole tournament Hope had three shut outs and the US had not lost a game. Hope walks out of the room to go find Abby and Brandi. First approaching Brandi when asked why she says to Hope, "It doesn't matter who is in goal", which in return Hope lost all respect for Brandi in response to say, "Yeah it actually does, I've been your starting goal keeper for 3 years". Next, it was time to find Abby. "Hope she's better". That's what Abby has to say and Hope had nothing left to say. After having talked to Greg Ryan, Hope informed him of yes he is the head coach and what he decides is final, but when asked about his decision she would make it clear that she didn't agree and that it was the wrong one. As result, it was marked down in history as the worst loss that the US has ever seen. Losing 4-0 which Bri in goal, at the end of the game as Hope is on her way to thank her family for still coming and supporting the team, Abby says to her "Hope I was wrong", and Hope continued to her family. After the game Hope gave an interview that she didn't expect to blow up around the world. "It's the worst decision in US soccer history and anyone who understands this game knows that," spoke Solo "and I know I would've made all four of those saves and that's it". Not speaking to hurt a teammate, she was speaking straight to Greg Ryan. After all the controversy that had gone on, as a result Hope was excluded from team dinners, she had to fly home on a flight without any of her teammates, she was hated by almost every person on the team and they almost didn't give her a medal. The head of US Soccer was on Hope's side and when Hope boarded her plane, everyone supported what she had said. Hope's flight home was with many American fans also on their way back to the United States. The best news that Hope could've received was when her agent Rich told her that Greg had been fired. Hope is our starting goal keeper and Greg is out of a job, coincidence? After all that being said I just adore Hope and all the courage she had to speak about how she felt. Many people are intimidated and don't say much but not Hope. She has an opinion and it will always be heard. Also when she was talking to the head of US Soccer I loved it when she said that she was sorry for always making things difficult and he just laughed and said, "Hope it wouldn't be you if you didn't and we all love you". I love Hope Solo more though, she's my hero.

Post 10: Reading Wishlist

Wishlist:

No Limits: The Will To Succeed by Michael Phelps

The Blind Side by Michael Lewis

Friday Night Lights by Brian Bissinger

Money Ball by Michael Lewis

My Losing Season by Pat Conroy

The Sweet Science by A.J Liebling



For book 5 I would probably read The Blind Side

Post 9: Book 2 Trailer

Post 8: Book Talk