Hope Solo -- Trashes Sweden After Loss ... 'Bunch of Cowards'

Hope Solo just went off on the Swedish soccer team ... reportedly calling them "a bunch of cowards" after Team USA lost in a penalty shootout.

An obviously pissed off Solo spoke with reporters directly after the game ... and said, "I’m very proud of this team. But I also think we played a bunch of cowards."

"The best team did not win today. I strongly believe that. I think you saw American heart. You saw us give everything we had today," reports SI.com's Grant Wahl.

When asked why she called Sweden "cowards" -- Solo explained said she wasn't impressed with their style of play ... especially the lack of passing.

"They dropped into a 50. They didn’t try and press. They didn’t want to open the game. And they tried to counter with longballs. We had that style of play when Pia was our coach. I don’t think they’re going to make it far in the tournament. I think it was very cowardly. But they won. They’re moving on, and we’re going home."