Solo says she’s keeping her focus amid controversy,
Hope Solo said she has not been distracted by the domestic violence controversy surrounding her private life after helping the USA beat Australia 3-1 in its opening match of the Women’s World Cup.
Solo, the U.S. goalkeeper, made several outstanding saves at Winnipeg Stadium, just a day after an ESPN report included details of an alleged attack by Solo on her nephew and the arrest that followed in June last year.
“I am perfectly focused, sir, perfectly focused,” Solo said when asked by USA TODAY Sports whether the report and associated publicity had disturbed her preparation for the opening game.
Before Solo could be quizzed about the matter further, her appearance in the media interview area was cut short by team officials.
Solo is a fierce competitor, and whatever your thoughts on the disturbing details of alleged behavior in her private life, there is no question she is capable of blocking it all out.
All of it. All the mayhem that has taken place with her family, all the furor over whether she should be representing the na- tional team, all the conjecture over whether it would negatively impact her game.
Forget about that last one. Not a chance.
Within the first few minutes of Monday’s game, Solo had pushed away a firm strike from Aus- tralia’s Emily van Egmond, parrying it with both hands and deflecting it onto the crossbar.
She later was on hand on the rare occasions when the U.S. defense showed signs of weakness.
Solo is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, and it’s likely she would have been jettisoned from the squad long before now if not for her outstanding ability.
Backup goalkeepers who cause headaches are not tolerated. First-choice superstars can be.
“Hope was world-class,” veteran forward Abby Wambach said.
“She saved us a couple of times,” substitute Alex Morgan said.
Megan Rapinoe struck the first and third goals for the Americans in the victory that put the team atop Group D, two points clear of Sweden and Nigeria.
Christen Press netted the second goal, and Solo was powerless to prevent Lisa De Vanna from scoring the equalizer for Australia after 29 minutes.
Solo was not concerned by the team’s patchy start.
“I was mentally prepared for a tough first half,” Solo said. “Historically it takes us time to get going. There are going to be jitters. I expected that, and I am glad we could weather the storm.”