Greg Ryan won't be back as manager of the US women's soccer team after his contract expires at the end of this year, US Soccer federation president Sunil Gulati said Monday.

Ryan, who took over the job in January of 2005, was sharply criticized last month when he sat starting goalkeeper Hope Solo in favor of Brianna Scurry, who allowed four goals in a 4-0 loss to Brazil in the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup.

The controversy lingered as Solo's emotional and very public reaction, in which she slammed Ryan for his "wrong decision" in replacing her, saw her barred even from the US bench as the Americans beat Norway 4-1 in the World Cup third-place match in Shanghai.

Germany defeated Brazil to claim the women's World Cup crown.

"At the conclusion of each world championship cycle, every national team's performance is closely analyzed," Gulati said in a statement. "There are many factors considered in this analysis, and it certainly isn't just about one loss or one particular coaching decision.

"In this case, after looking closely at the last six weeks and the team's performance at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, we have made a decision to change leadership of the US Women's National Team."

(CRI via AFP October 23, 2007)