U.S. women’s soccer team plans satellite Olympic opening ceremony

LONDON — The U.S. women’s soccer team was in Glasgow, Scotland, on Friday, more than 400 miles from Olympic Park and the opening ceremonies of the London Games. But they were there in spirit.

The team planned to dress in the blue blazers, white skirts and blue berets the rest of Team USA wore during the parade of nations in London, then take over a ballroom at the Glasgow Hilton to watch the event on TV.

“We’re going to feel the spirit,” goalkeeper Hope Solo said. “As long as I’m with my teammates, we’re going to be fine.”

Shortly after Friday’s ceremony ends team members will turn their focus back to soccer, Solo said, packing up their Ralph Lauren uniforms and shipping them home before taking on Colombia in their second match of group play Saturday.

Because of travel and scheduling issues — the soccer competition typically starts far outside the host city days before the rest of the Games begin — the women’s team has participated live in just one of the last four Olympic opening ceremonies.

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