I don't pretend to know a great deal about soccer, but I get the sense that U.S. women's coach Greg Ryan isn't widely beloved in futbol circles.

Yesterday, Ryan made a strange decision, announcing his plan to replace Hope Solo in goal with Briana Scurry for today's semi against Brazil. It was strange because Solo had been playing very well over the last several games. And it was really strange that Ryan waited til the day before the match to make the move.

Eyebrows were raised. "I just think it becomes a distraction when you're too focused on that rather than the game," said Julie Foudy. "To me it's a sign of worrying too much about the opponent. You just play. You know they're good. You know their strengths and weaknesses, but you don't have to make such a drastic change.

Graham Hays also questioned the move.

Ryan has gambled three years of work and often largely anonymous success on a move that leaves him wide open to second guessing. Should the United States lose to Brazil, or even lose in a final based on goalkeeping mistakes by either keeper, the criticism former coach April Heinrichs faced after the 2003 World Cup will seem tame by comparison.

The U.S. lost 4-0 this morning. Certainly the loss was not Scurry's fault — a couple of the goals just couldn't have been stopped, and lots of other things went wrong. But there's no telling what effect Ryan's late move had on team chemistry and morale.

And as Jere says, it may cost Ryan his job.

UPDATE: After the game, Solo slammed Ryan and Scurry. "There's no doubt in my mind that I would have made those saves," she said. "This isn't 2004."

See the video here. Yikes.