Hope Solo: Why U.S. Women's Star Goalkeeper Won't Win Dancing with the Stars

On Monday night in the opening round of Dancing with the Stars, the judges had the nerve to suggest that U.S. women's star goalkeeper Hope Solo was "muscling things" and needed to be "a bit more feminine."

The truth is, they were right, but for them to expect Solo to be a prissy female is where I feel they crossed the line.

Solo has gotten to where she is in her career because she's simply  a competitor who doesn't bow down to her opponents or former coaches (ahem, Greg Ryan, ahem).

So for the judges to expect her to change her ways is not only way off base, it's useless.

Now, I understand the judges need to say what they need to say and it wouldn't be a dancing competition if they praised every competitor. But Solo is who she is and perhaps it would have been better served to suggest a dance that requires a bit more "muscling" and not turn her into a ballerina, because she will never be that.

Judge Bruno Tonioli went so far as to suggest, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, “You look like you’re punching me in the face."

Judge Carrie Ann Ibana countered with, “You guys were connected like glue and that was wonderful. Just be aware of muscling things—it’s a natural tendency for you.”

Then Solo said what we all knew already: “I can’t dance—I’m like a stiff athlete."

I say "bravo" to Solo, an individual who doesn't try to be someone she's not. Sure, she could be ousted from the competition fairly soon, but it's better than compromising your identity.

I've said a lot of things here and there about Solo (some backing her, some not), but one thing I've always liked about her is that she stands up for who she is.

Back in the 2007 World Cup when she was benched in the semifinals for 36-year-old Brianna Scurry, she spoke up. While it was deemed unsportsmanlike by many, she actually had a good point and a competitor doesn't just ignore getting benched when they've been playing well.

All I know is I'm going to be voting for Solo in this season of Dancing with the Stars regardless of her dancing ability.

Sometimes, an athlete's makeup is more important than if she wins or loses.