ST. LOUIS - U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo apologized for harsh criticism of Coach Greg Ryan during the World Cup in a statement issued last night about a half-hour before the team's exhibition against Mexico.

Solo also decided not to dress for the opener. She said she would not make any further comments beyond the statement.

"I would like to apologize to my teammates, coaches and everyone else adversely affected by my comments," Solo said. "This public apology comes later than it should have, but I hope that does not diminish the fact that I am truly sorry.

"I made a mistake and I take full responsibility for my actions. I let my teammates down and have lost their trust."

Ryan opted for veteran Briana Scurry in the Cup semifinals, a 4-0 loss to the Brazil that led to a third-place finish for the top-rated Americans. The 25-year-old Solo had allowed two goals in four World Cup starts and had a shutout string of nearly 300 minutes, and lashed out at her coach, saying, "You can't live by big names. You can't live in the past."

Solo, 11 years younger than Scurry, made it a point in the statement to "especially apologize" to Ryan and Scurry.

"There is no excuse for insulting a coach or a teammate," Solo said. "My focus now is solely on reconciliation with the team."