Hope Solo says ordeal has been 'traumatic, embarrassing'
EDMONTON, Alberta – Hope Solo feared her career would be destroyed by the ongoing domestic violence scandal that has tainted the United States' Women's World Cup campaign, according to the controversial goalkeeper.
In an interview with People magazine released this weekend, Solo spoke out regarding allegations that she smashed her then-17-year-old nephew's head against a concrete floor in a June 2014 incident and was threatening, abusive and belligerent toward police officers following her arrest.
"It's been painful," she told the magazine. "I almost lost my career. It's been traumatic and embarrassing."
The reappearance of the Solo saga in the public spotlight, especially courtesy of an interview for which she gave exclusive access at her home, has come at the worst possible time for the U.S. team, which faces Colombia in the Round of 16 at Commonwealth Stadium on Monday.
After withstanding a storm of negative publicity in the first week of the tournament following the publication of ESPN's Outside The Lines report chronicling fresh details about the case, it appeared that the Solo issue was behind the U.S. camp.
Solo has not spoken to reporters in Canada at any of the squad's media availability sessions or following matches since after the opening game, against Australia, on June 8. Then she told Paste BN Sports that she was "perfectly focused" despite the ESPN claims.
Yet further developments followed, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D – Conn.) publishing an open letter calling for Solo to be dropped from the team. US Soccer president Sunil Gulati responded by defending his organization's actions.
The legal case against Solo was initially dropped on procedural grounds, but prosecutors have applied for it to be reopened and oral arguments are scheduled for September.
"I wish my name was cleared," Solo said. "But people still believe I hit a child."
The furor has clearly done nothing to affect Solo's performances on the field. She has arguably been the best goalkeeper in the World Cup so far, conceding only once, in a 3-1 victory over Australia.
However, public opinion about her has been mixed, and in some quarters her situation has been likened to that of Ray Rice and various NFL cases where suspensions were swiftly handed down amid suspicion of domestic violence.
"It's been awful," Solo added. "But I am at peace."
Whether Solo was aware of the intended release date of the People story or not, it is a further example of how her alleged actions have caused a ruckus at the most sensitive points of the campaign – first at the beginning of the group stage, and now heading into the do-or-die knockout phase.
As the U.S. seeks to move boldly onward, the Hope Solo show is back in play, very much of her own making.
