Solo Erases Regrets by Calling Her Own Shots

LONDON — Hope Solo lived with regret over not trusting her instincts last summer in the penalty shootout with Japan in the Women’s World Cup final. On Thursday night at Wembley Stadium, Solo, the United States women’s soccer team goalkeeper, relied on her reflexes to make a critical reaction save late in the gold medal match to preserve the Americans’ victory.

The sequence was fitting in many ways. Solo recently revealed that she and some members of the American coaching staff had come up with a plan before last July’s shootout final. Instead of trying to read each shooter’s run-up and body language before trying to save the shot, Solo would move to her right each time because data indicated that most shooters favored that direction.

Initially, Solo said, she thought it was a good plan. But once the game reached the shootout and she could not follow her gut, she became hesitant. Ultimately, Solo made one save and the United States lost in the shootout, 3-1.

Fast forward to the 83rd minute of Thursday’s rematch with Japan, and Solo earned her measure of redemption. After defender Christie Rampone had the ball stripped from her near the top of the United States penalty area, Mana Iwabuchi swooped in toward Solo and fired a curling shot from close range to Solo’s left.