US Soccer Legend -- Stop Worrying About Hope Solo ... Focus On the Game

Despite the fact she's been accused of beating up a minor and berating cops, the allegations surrounding Hope Solo come 2nd to what happens on the soccer field ... so says a Team USA legend.

We spoke with Briana Scurry -- the Team USA goalie before Hope Solo took over --and asked her if Solo should be yanked from the Women's World Cup in the wake of new reports detailing her alleged reprehensible behavior on the night she was arrested for domestic violence.

Scurry deflected (she's a goalie after all) ... but essentially told us, "Right now what's important is what happens on the pitch."

"The team does need her to be at her best and she needs the team to be at its best ... so right now the important thing is what they do on the field."