Quotes from Hope Solo

People didn't put pressure on me. I just played for the love of the game.

My father showed me so much love. He showed my brother so much love.

My confidence comes from the daily grind - training my butt off day in and day out.

You're not going to be liked by everybody when you speak the truth. I don't speak the truth to put people down; I don't speak the truth to show disrespect.

In truth, 2007 was the hardest year of my life. I lost my best friend. I lost my father.

I've learned that winning isn't everything, and it's more about the journey. But at the end of the day, I just want to stand on the podium with the gold medal.

I am pushed by my critics. I don't want to say I want to prove them wrong, but it pushes me on the field to play with a chip on my shoulder, and I play best when I have a chip on my shoulder.

No one wants to lose, period. It should hurt, it should sting, and you don't want to feel that feeling again.

There are so many different walks of life, so many different personalities in the world. And no longer do you have to be a chameleon and try and adapt to that environment - you can truly be yourself.

I never felt the same passion for the game in the States and there were a lot of headaches, a lot of obstacles to overcome - it didn't just run itself for the love of the game because soccer is not the No. 1 sport as it is in Europe.

My father was never around. But I glorified my father, and I was always daddy's little girl. He was my first soccer coach.

I don't just want to focus on soccer, soccer, soccer.

I played in Europe and it was a great experience, not just because of my team-mates and the coaches we had, but from the fans and the city itself - I played in Gothenburg and I played in Lyon and soccer was everywhere.

My personal life is in the spotlight, but people say what they want to say. The truth isn't in the spotlight, I should say. I'm in the spotlight, but not the truth.

I like to read books and be alone; I'm not social butterfly person. I'm sorry.

I've had marriage proposals, invitations to military balls and even a few prom offers from 18-year-old boys.

I never go on Facebook! I like, haven't confirmed anybody to be my friend on Facebook. I have lots of friends; I'm just really bad at Facebook.

A lot of people think I'm naturally confident. I am not naturally confident!

I hate the cliche of 'just have fun,' but what I've seen in today's sports, especially with parents, is they put so much pressure on the kids.

I don't just want to focus on soccer, soccer, soccer. You're going to look back 20 years from now and of course you're going to remember the games. But I'm going to remember seeing my family in the stands.

I'm a nerd at heart.

Every athlete acquires routines as a way to help control nerves.

As women professional athletes, you have to have respect for every player and individual. Beyond that, it doesn't matter what your interests are. People can have their own lives.

It's clear that women athletics are pretty far behind in every way. In terms of facilities, how much we make, everything.