Page 23 - ARUBA TODAY

A23
SPORTS Tuesday 23 January 2018

United States forward Alex Morgan, left, shoots on goal as
Denmark forward Stine Larsen, right, defends during the second
half of an international friendly soccer match Sunday, Jan. 21,
2018, in San Diego.
Associated Press
U.S. women open year with

5-1 win over Denmark

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Mallory Solo took part in three
Pugh scored a pair of sec- World Cups and three
Former Olympians Aly Raisman, left, and Jordyn Wieber sit in Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina’s ond-half goals, and the U.S. Olympics for the national
courtroom during the fourth day of sentencing for former sports doctor Larry Nassar, who pled women’s national team team. But the 2016 Olym-
guilty to multiple counts of sexual assault, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, in Lansing, Mich. opened the year with a 5-1 pics was the last time she
Associated Press victory over Denmark on played for the team. She
Top gymnastics board Sunday. was suspended following a
Alex Morgan, Julie Ertz and quarterfinal loss to Sweden
Crystal Dunn also scored and did not play for the
members resign in for the top-ranked United United States in 2017.
States. The match was the Solo has recently declared
her candidacy for U.S. Soc-
first for a year that will in-
wake of abuse case clude qualifying for the cer President to succeed
2019 Women’s World Cup Sunil Gulati. Gulati said he
in France. The Americans would not seek another
are the defending cham- term in the wake of the
By EDDIE PELLS Committee and USA Gym- focus on supporting the pion of the sport’s premier U.S. men’s failure to qualify
AP National Writer nastics and called for the brave survivors.” event. for this year’s World Cup in
Three top board members sports leaders to leave their The new CEO, Kerry Perry, Denmark went up 1-0 in the Russia.
of USA Gymnastics re- jobs. said USA Gymnastics sup- 14th minute off Nadia Nad- Solo is among eight candi-
signed and the man who USA Gymnastics CEO Steve ported the resignations. im’s header. It was the 23rd dates for the post.
coached the 2012 Olympic Penny was forced out last “We believe this step will al- international goal for Nad- The match capped Janu-
team was suspended Mon- year. low us to more effectively im, who played last season ary training camp. But the
day, after calls from angry A person familiar with the move forward in imple- for the Portland Thorns in team was missing a num-
gymnasts who say the or- negotiations told The As- menting change within our the National Women’s Soc- ber of regulars because of
ganization did nothing to sociated Press that USOC organization,” she said. cer League. injuries.
protect them after they CEO Scott Blackmun met Last week, USA Gymnastics Morgan equalized in the Tobin Heath had minor
were abused by former with Parilla earlier this said it would no longer hold 17th minute with her 81st ankle surgery earlier this
team doctor Larry Nassar. month and asked for his training camps at the Kar- international goal, seventh month that was expected
Chairman Paul Parilla, resignation. olyi ranch in Texas, where on the team’s all-time list. to keep her out for up to 12
vice chair Jay Binder and The person spoke on condi- a number of gymnasts Ertz then scored in the 19th weeks.
treasurer Bitsy Kelley an- tion of anonymity because said Nassar abused them. minute. While Ertz was play- Heath, who also plays for
nounced they were step- they were not authorized That announcement only ing for the U.S. women, hus- the Thorns, injured her an-
ping down as testimony in to speak about the issue came after Olympic all- band Zach Ertz was playing kle in the NWSL title match
Nassar’s sentencing hear- publicly. around champion Simone for the Philadelphia Eagles between the Thorns and
ing in Michigan moved into In a statement, Blackmun Biles complained that USA in the NFC championship the North Carolina Cour-
its second week. said the USOC has been Gymnastics hadn’t moved game. age in October. Portland
Nassar faces a minimum discussing changes with to find a different training Pugh put the Americans up won 1-0 for its second over-
prison sentence of 25 to leaders at USA Gymnastics locale. 3-1 in the 47th minute, and all league title.
40 years in a molestation since October. Another member of the then scored her second in Midfielder Morgan Brian,
case. “Those discussions acceler- 2016 team, Aly Raisman the 65th. Dunn added a who is playing in France
Later Monday, USA Gym- ated over the holidays and , gave some of the most goal in the 81st minute. with Lyon, stayed out of
nastics suspended the today you have seen three compelling testimony last U.S. Soccer honored former January camp because of
coach of the 2012 Olym- board resignations,” Black- week. goalkeeper Hope Solo for nagging injuries, while de-
pics team, John Geddert, mun said. “To believe in the future of her 200th cap before the fender Becky Sauerbrunn
who worked with Nassar at “New board leadership gymnastics is to believe in match. Solo appeared in has a stress reaction in her
his gyms in Michigan. is necessary because change,” she said. 202 games for the national left foot that necessitates
A number of Olympians the current leaders have “But how are we to believe team, most for any goal- several weeks of rest.
have been among those been focused on establish- in change when these or- keeper in U.S. history. She Additionally, Samantha
testifying in the Nassar ing that they did nothing ganizations aren’t even had a record 101 shutouts Mewis (knee) and Rose
hearing. Many have also wrong. willing to acknowledge the and an overall average of Lavelle (hamstring) didn’t
sued the U.S. Olympic USA Gymnastics needs to problem?”q 0.54 goals allowed. take part in camp.q