U.S. Women’s National Team Goalkeeper Hope Solo has endured some rough press over the past year, most recently involving her former NFL-player husband Jerramy Stevens driving the U.S. Women’s team van (which players are allowed to use) while under the influence. Reports alleged that Solo was belligerent with officers despite being warned about her behavior after a recent altercation involving her sister and nephew, however she was not arrested. She was, however, suspended for 30 days by the team. Coach Jodi Ellis was understandably disappointed in her choices that led to a “negative impact on U.S. soccer and her teammates” by letting Stevens drive.
I felt disappointed, too. I’ve defended her in conversations regarding all of these indiscretions, especially the comparison of her to Ray Rice. Even though it was Stevens who made the decision to drive drunk (in the U.S. team van, no less), she has to be the person that says, “No, let’s just take a cab.” We are all humans, and make mistakes, but c’mon girl. I like a glass of wine as much as the next gal, but when it involves your team, even tenuously, it is time to reevaluate your decision-making no matter how egregious the double-standards in media coverage.
But Solo has put all that well in her rearview for an outstanding performance at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. Since allowing a single goal in the opening match against Australia, the 33-year-old goalie from Richland, WA, who played for the University of Washington and currently plays for the Seattle Reign FC, has shut out opponents for 423 consecutive minutes. She recorded her 88th career shutout against China on Friday (her ninth clean sheet in World Cup play, just one game less than Brianna Scurry). She earned her 175th cap against China as well, the most of any U.S. goalkeeper. Solo also has the most starts by a WNT goalkeeper (169), with 134 of those recording goalkeeper wins, making her the all-time leader in wins for a keeper in U.S. history.
Never have I questioned Solo’s capabilities as an athlete: she’s an inspiration for young women everywhere and garnered a massive audience for women’s soccer (despite what Andy Benoit has to say about it – don’t even get me started on that guy). But I do hope that she learned her lesson from her suspension earlier this year and continues to play the best soccer she’s capable of. There’s not a whole lot of time left for her to be a part of a World Cup Championship team, which I’m sure she wouldn’t mind adding to her long list of accomplishments. The beautiful thing about soccer, and especially this team Ellis and co. assembled, is that success depends upon the efforts of everyone on the field. Solo’s accomplishments are just as much owed to her teammates as her teammates’ are owed to her, and she understands that. The chemistry on field is quite possibly the best the U.S. has seen since the days of Brandi Chastain celebrating in her sports bra—on and off the field (which us common folk now have a window into thanks to social media such as Solo’s Instagram page). Even if Hope doesn’t add World Cup Final Champion to her accolades, she’s still won this year through demonstration of dedication to her sport and team.
Hope and team will face their toughest match thus far when they face off against Germany tonight in Montreal, Canada. As the only country to reach a semifinal match every tournament since the World Cup began for women, the pressure is on against the best team. Germany is merciless against opponents, and will likely prove the biggest test of Solo’s career. The U.S. has enough travelling support to create a home-field advantage, something they’ll definitely need against the No. 1 ranked team in the world. But it is not an impossible task for the ladies who haven’t made losing a habit. In fact, the U.S.’ only loss this year was to France back in February on the road, and you can bet they don’t plan on doing that again anytime soon. Catch the game on FOX or NBC Universo (7 pm ET, 4 pm PT).
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