US Women's National Team boss Greg Ryan has taken the calculated risk of replacing starting netminder Hope Solo with veteran Brianna Scurry for Thursday's World Cup semifinal with Brazil in Hangzhou, China.

The coach stated that Solo - who has started every game of the tournament thus far, giving up only two goals against North Korea in the opener - would return to start the final should they defeat the Samba Queens.

"We talked a long time ago with Bri about match-ups against certain teams in the World Cup and one of them was Brazil," Ryan told reporters. "The Brazilians play off the dribble and in the penalty box, making the goalkeeper make quick responses to their moves. I think Bri is one of the fastest in the world."

Solo was visibly upset by the decision when facing the media, a reaction that Ryan finds completely reasonable.

"Anybody would be disappointed," he reasoned. "If they weren't, you would wonder what was wrong with them. Bri has been a great pro in supporting Hope, and now it's Hope's turn to support Bri."

The 36-year old Scurry, who has 162 caps to her name, backstopped the team to a 1999 World Cup title and also has two Olympic gold medals to her credit. Despite her pedigree and experience, Ryan will be on the spot in the event of a semifinal loss, but it's a risk he is willing to take.

"If it turns out to be a mistake, I can live with that," stated the coach.