There has been much anticipation to a certain pundits' debut on Irish television, and that day has come with former US goalkeeper Hope Solo taking residence on the RTE World Cup panel for today's match between Brazil and Mexico.
Solo appeared at ease with the set-up, and immediately predicted a France Brazil semi-final, dismissing Japan, Belgium and Uruguay's chances. Solo also wasn't afraid to take on her co-pundits, taking umbrage with Richie Sadlier's point that Neymar's diving was a personality trait, arguing that the forward is part of a diving culture.
RTE football pundit Hope Solo has just eliminated Belgium, Japan and Uruguay in one fell swoop, as she is already looking ahead to the semi-final between Brazil and France.#RTEsoccerhttps://t.co/6Qu9d33n2u pic.twitter.com/kqFsXiQpv6
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2018
Of course there were the inevitable tweets questioning Solo's presence on RTE given her dismissed case of domestic abuse, but for the majority people were pleased with the 36-year-old's first appearance of the World Cup:
@hopesolo doing fantastic job on @RTEsport keep this gem around for the long haul
— Westmeath Gaa NY (@westmeathgfcusa) July 2, 2018
Very impressed with @hopesolo today on @RTEsoccer . Amazing insight. Looking forward to seeing her a lot more #RTEsoccer
— Brian M (@brianfinn96) July 2, 2018
Great to hear a fresh voice on @RTEsoccer coverage of the games...
— John White (@john_FOCC) July 2, 2018
Absolutly brilliant bringing Hope Solo on to the @RTEsoccer panel. Twitter keyboard warriors must be furious! ?? #RTEsoccer
— Brendan McCallion (@brendiano101) July 2, 2018
People surprised with hope solo as a pundit on rte world cup coverage
She has been brilliant knows her stuff won world cup with usa excellent knowledge of the game
So has steph roche
She has been excellent also
Because they get straight to the point and no b******* with them.— BAZZA KEARNS (@richardkearns2) July 2, 2018
@hopesolo making the RTE pundits up their game, don't know are they impressed or intimidated
— Adrian Cronin (@j4kgalway) July 2, 2018
Hope solo is a good pundit
— Seán Flanagan (@SeanFlanagan77) July 2, 2018
Hope Solo talking more sense in 5 minutes than Eamon Dunphy has in 10 years
— Jack ???? (@JackONeill434) July 2, 2018
Already loving @hopesolo on the #RTEsoccer panel. Quality, knowledgeable input and no BS. #Worldcup2018Russia
— Shaun Mcdonnell (@thegenuinemacco) July 2, 2018
