Ryan Out as U.S. Coach

U.S. Not Renewing Contract of Embattled Headman

October 22, 2007

By Nick Williams

CHICAGO – Greg Ryan’s decision to bench Hope Solo in favor of Briana Scurry in the Women’s World Cup may have cost the U.S. National Team coach his job.

Ryan’s contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the year, ending his three-year tenure with the team, U.S. soccer announced Monday.

“After looking closely at the last six weeks and the team's performance at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, we have made a decision to change leadership of the U.S. Women’s National Team,” U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said in a statement. “I want to thank Greg Ryan and his staff for their work over the last two-plus years.”

Ryan led the U.S. women to a 45-1-9 record in his two-plus years at the helm, but his decision to switch goalkeepers before the American’s disastrous 4-0 World Cup loss to Brazil may have sealed his fate. Ryan elected to start the veteran Scurry based on her previous success against the Brazilians despite the fact that Solo started the first four games of the World Cup and had a 300-minute shutout streak after allowing two goals in the tournament’s opening match.

Solo later ripped Ryan for the decision on a widely-viewed interview on ESPN, prompting the coach to banish the keeper from the team’s third-place game with Norway after meeting with team leaders.

Solo was back on the U.S. roster for its season-ending exhibitions against Mexico, but did not see any game action.

Gulati alluded to a “coaching decision” in the statement released by U.S. Soccer, but denied that any one move prompted the choice to remove Ryan.

“At the conclusion of each world championship cycle, every national team's performance is closely analyzed,” Gulati said. “There are many factors considered in this analysis, and it certainly isn't just about one loss or one particular coaching decision.”

An announcement on the new coach is expected in the next month or two. The search will be led by a three-person committee made up of Gulati, U.S. Soccer Secretary General Dan Flynn and Hall of Fame Women’s National Team forward Mia Hamm.

Material from a press release was used in this report

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