HOPE-LESS

My obvious play on words relates to the 30 day suspension of US WNT Keeper Hope Solo. I do however personally believe that short of an epic meltdown by Solo during this period, she will be reinstated by Jill Ellis (with Sunil Gulati's influence) to the WNT just in time for the World Cup.

This suspension comes not from her domestic violence issue with her now husband back in 2012, nor domestic violence issue with sister and nephew in June 2014, which was recently dismissed, nor her recent nude photos that were made available after her phone was allegedly hacked ...

... it was Solo's husband, who was reported to be drunk, and driving a US Soccer vehicle with a reported hammered and belligerent Hope Solo in the passenger seat, that finally gave US Soccer pause.

I am surprised it took the DUI for Solo's husband to suspend her given the sensitivity surrounding domestic violence with the Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and Kurt Busch incidents. This is particularly true given the attorney in Solo's recent case that should be thanking his lucky stars no one testified (weird huh), instead of doing a victory lap and making comments that case should never have been brought. 

Photo Credit: NY Times

That did not stop US Soccer from playing her however, despite the position of other leagues and a congressional inquiry for NASCAR on the same topic.

Let's face it, there is something amiss here and US Soccer is tinkering with a fragile image. Not sure what is more important to them, a possible 2015 World Cup victory, or a good wholesome image for US Women's soccer. With Solo on the team, I'm not sure the Federation can have both. Just look at the image during her arrest ... is that the one US Soccer wants 10 - 18 year old players to admire ... come on.

And please ... please ... don't make this about gender as Kate Fagan did in her recent article in ESPNW, describing Solo's behavior as "complex." Her behavior is boorish at best and criminal at worst. In either case, not worthy of representing the US in any way.

I hope US Soccer takes the long view on this one and dismisses Solo for the 2015 WC. If she can get her act together after that, and I genuinely hope she does, I would love to see her play again given her skill at the position.

On a lighter note before anyone accuses me of just letting off some pressure because of "deflate-gate", you are sadly wrong as I believe in a day or two we are going to hear that this was really all the fault of the NFL refereeing crew at that game and no fault of the Patriots at all.

Really ... I think we are going there next.

See you next year? ... Lame.

World Cup 2022: Fifa to decide on date switch next year

Fifa says a decision over whether to switch the dates for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be made in December 2014.

Sepp Blatter, the president of football's world governing body, announced in October that a taskforce would look at alternative dates.

That stemmed from concerns over the extreme heat in the Gulf state during the summer months, when temperatures can reach 50C.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter: ''There should be a consultation"

Qatari organisers says they can host the tournament at any time of year.

But the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee added that it would listen to the will of the international football community if a decision to move to a new date is made.

After meeting in Brazil, Fifa's powerful executive committee have announced a "road map" for the consultation process, which is being led by Sheikh Salman - the president of the Asian Football Confederation and a Fifa vice-president ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of BBC.

Kicking Back Comments: This farcical delay is not a surprise as FIFA needs to "study" the process. Here is is ... June is too hot, Winter Olympics in February ... so no go for those ... Looks like November.

I really hope US TV drops them like a bad habit.

Saddest part of the article was here:

"The governing body wants Qatar to provide an update on their progress over the issue (of migrant worker abuse) by March 2014."

Four months away for an update ... when people are dying to build their stadiums ... and they are accepting waiting four months for an update. How very predictable of FIFA.

Why I Love "Zero Tolerance" in Youth Matches

Yesterday I wrote about why I really dislike "zero tolerance" mindsets. On a personal note Mrs. Kicking Back did not like that designation, despite agreeing with the subject matter. Henceforth she will be called "Madam X." I'm sure she will find that much more flattering. If not I hope the hospital has good WiFi =/

There is a flip side to the zero tolerance paradigm, and to me it centers around youth referees in general. If there is a place where there should be no tolerance for nonsense, it is in these circles.

Now I admit to having a true dislike for perceived authority, and I have run into my fair share of folks as a youth referee who thought I should listen to them, just because they were older.

Rubbish.

My dad gave me a stellar piece of advice when I was very young in my career, and it was while I was refereeing that I could "talk back" to adults.

I think when he first told me I could hardly contain myself.

Now, I have to admit that there were times ... are times ... that I go overboard with this one. While now it is based in good intentions, the negative results can be the same.

I am a big fan of telling it like it is, and a youth referee standing up, in a good spirited way, to a demeaning player or coach I think is a great thing. Sadly, I think far too may parents and coaches need a reminder of civility, and would not respond well to a "dressing down", even appropriately.

Enter Zero Tolerance.

Such a rule has the best of intentions which is to protect the youth referees that are arbitrating these youth matches. Frankly, they need it as how can a 15 year old reasonably withstand withering criticism from folks that generally have no idea about the laws of the game.

There is a better than 50% attrition rate for youth (soccer) referees after the first year. That number levels off just a little after year 3, but it is still a huge number.

Now while I am certain there are several factors that cause this attrition (gee what else could a 16 year old boy have on his mind), fan(atic) and coach abuse I am fairly certain are among the top (5) reasons.

Zero Tolerance may help in many cases by at least making people aware there are consequences to their oral actions.

Does it get us all of the way there? Nope, not by a long shot in my opinion as it is critical for referees of all levels to have the life skills necessary to fend off (or ignore) an oral tongue lashing when it is based in nonsense.

I will say though, if it saves one referee, or even just makes others feel better about their chances of getting abused when refereeing, it may just be worth it.