Hope Solo Suspended from Protecting the Goal for 30 Days
One mistake after another finally catches up with US Women’s National Team Goalie Hope Solo.
U.S. Soccer has suspended goalkeeper Hope Solo from the U.S. Women’s National Team for 30 days. The suspension is effective immediately and stems from an incident that occurred during the current WNT training camp being held in Carson, California. Although not directly at fault, Solo was in the car when her husband arrested on drunken driving charges. Admit rumors that our country’s goalie was belligerent, Solo is solo for a while.
As a result of the suspension, Solo has been released from training camp and will miss the USA’s matches in Europe on Feb. 8 in France and Feb. 13 in England.
“During our current National Team camp, Hope made a poor decision that has resulted in a negative impact on U.S. Soccer and her teammates,” said U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis. “We feel at this time it is best for her to step away from the team.”
The suspension comes approximately a week after Solo was cleared on domestic abuse charges resulting from an altercation with her family – what seemed to have been a family brawl turned very public last June when Solo was arrested. A judge had just dismissed domestic violence charges against Solo at a hearing in Kirkland, Wash., last Tuesday, January 13th.
Solo released a statement after the suspension was announced. “I accept and respect the federation’s decision, and more importantly, I apologize for disappointing my teammates, coaches and the federation who have always supported me,” she said. “I think it’s best for me to take a break, decompress from the stress of the last several months, and come back mentally and physically ready to positively contribute to the team.”
Solo will be eligible for reinstatement to the team after the 30-day suspension, pending review and approval by U.S. Soccer and Ellis.
USA’s Women’s National Team’s goalkeeper was charged with two misdemeanor counts of domestic violence assault following an altercation with her half-sister and nephew at a party in June. This is a fourth-degree charge resulting from what seems to have been a family dispute. Solo’s layer, Todd Maybrown, filed the request in Municipal Court in Kirkland, Washington.
Solo is America’s top soccer goalkeeper and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. On the United States Women’s National Soccer Team since 2000, Solo is also the goal keeper for the Seattle Reign FC. She first started playing for the USA as a U16 youth soccer player.
