U.S. Soccer not a place for Hope
Has Hope Solo’s act with the U.S. women’s soccer team worn thin?
Mike Digiovanna of the Los Angeles Times seems to think so.
“The U.S. women’s soccer team is in Europe this week for a pair of friendlies, readying for the start of the World Cup in four months. Who will be the American goalkeeper in that tournament is an open question,” Digiovanna wrote.
“Hope Solo, at 33, is still considered one of the best goalies in the world, but she isn’t traveling with the U.S. squad because of her latest episode of self-destructive and off-putting behavior.
“She was suspended by U.S. Soccer for 30 days and sent home from training camp on Jan. 21 after her husband, former NFL tight end Jerramy Stevens, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence near the team’s Manhattan Beach hotel at 1:32 a.m. on Jan. 19.
“Solo, a passenger in the vehicle, was not arrested. U.S. Soccer officials felt Solo exercised poor judgment by staying out so late during camp and getting in a car with an impaired driver. They were also livid that Stevens was driving a team van — opening up serious liability issues.
“The incident occurred less than a week after a judge in Kirkland, Wash., dismissed misdemeanor domestic assault charges against Solo, who was arrested last June after a scuffle with her half-sister and 17-yearold nephew.
“Solo continued to play during legal proceedings, a decision that prompted U.S. Soccer to be heavily criticized.
“Solo showed contrition after her suspension, saying in a statement that she ‘accepts and respects’ the federation’s decision, and she apologized for ‘disappointing’ her teammates, coaches and the federation.
“But neither soccer’s governing body nor U.S. Coach Jill Ellis has outlined the stipulations for Solo’s return or guaranteed she would be reinstated before the World Cup begins in Canada, leaving many people — including Solo’s teammates — to wonder if faith has finally been lost in Hope.”