Update: Head U.S. women's soccer coach Jill Ellis released the following statement in response to the the crowd's reaction.
Full Jill Ellis quote on booing of Hope Solo/Zika chants. #USWNT #Rio2016 #USAvNZL pic.twitter.com/wFytrI96OD
— Sebastian Salazar (@SebiSalazarCSN) August 4, 2016
***Original Post***
The controversy over Zika has made its way onto the soccer pitch in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. During the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team's opening group game versus New Zealand at the 2016 Rio Olympics on Wednesday, goalkeeper Hope Solo got no love from the predominantly Brazilian crowd. First, listen below.
Hope Solo continues to hilariously get booed in Belo Horizonte #USAvNZL pic.twitter.com/hxiDZGS4Fj
— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) August 3, 2016
The crowd also seemed to be chanting "Zika!" anytime she kicked the ball.
Olha aí a torcida mineira pegando no pé da Hope Solo. pic.twitter.com/0kJtGWhdPK
— Uai Tevê (@uaiteve) August 3, 2016
The reason for the chilly welcome can likely be explained by an Instagram post and tweet Solo published ahead of her travel to Rio.
Not sharing this!!! Get your own! #zikaproof #RoadToRio pic.twitter.com/y3d8hnuEjk
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) July 22, 2016
I doubt Solo meant to tick off the host nation with the picture, but it's obvious Brazilians did not take too kindly to it - harmless or not.
In a post-match interview regarding the booing, Solo gave a classy response. "They're Brazilians - they love soccer," she said, adding she'd rather hear their passionate chants than a silent stadium.
The noise also didn't seem to have affected her performance in the game. The U.S. beat New Zealand 2-0.
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