Hope Solo will continue to play for Seattle Reign FC following her arrest last week. (Photo Copyright Denise McCooey/Prost Amerika)
Hope Solo remains available for selection for Seattle Reign FC following her arrest last week, the club announced Thursday. The goalkeeper also apologized to her fans via Facebook on Thursday.
Sources tell The Equalizer that, as of now, there are no restrictions on Solo’s availability and that she can travel with the team for road games.
Solo was arrested early Saturday morning on investigation of two counts of domestic-violence assault. On Monday she pleaded not guilty to both charges. According to police reports, Solo was “intoxicated and upset” and allegedly struck her half-sister and 17-year-old nephew.
In her apology, Solo said she is “confident” her name will be cleared following the legal process.
“I would like to apologize to my fans, teammates, coaches, marketing partners and the entire US Soccer and Seattle Reign FC communities for my involvement in a highly unfortunate incident this past weekend,” she wrote. “I understand that, as a public figure, I am held to a higher standard of conduct. I take seriously my responsibilities as a role model and sincerely apologize to everyone I have disappointed.
“I love my family dearly. We, like all families, have our challenges but my sincere hope is that we are able to resolve this situation as a family. Adversity has always made us stronger and I know this situation will be no different.”
The Reign, meanwhile, released its own statement on Thursday, saying that after gathering information this week, Solo will continue to practice and will be available for selection on Saturday when Seattle hosts Sky Blue FC.
“This investigation, which has included multiple conversations with Hope, made it clear that there are differing perspectives on the events that led up to Hope’s arrest. As such, we feel it is fair and prudent to await the outcome of the legal process before making a final judgment about the incident,” the statement read.
It continues: “It is our sincerest wish that the outcome of the legal process clears Hope of any wrongdoing. Should that not be the case, we will take the necessary and appropriate action at that time, in a manner consistent with the values and beliefs of our organization.”
U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said that he and the federation would speak to Solo by the end of Thursday. Solo recently tied Briana Scurry for the most all-time U.S. shutouts with 71.
The NWSL standard player agreement states that the league may terminate a contract “upon twenty-four (24) hours’ written notice to the Player” if she fails conduct herself “in a manner reasonably befitting” to the league and if a player “engages in alcohol or drug abuse or uses alcohol or drugs in a manner that interferes with her NWSL duties.” It is unclear if such stipulations are in Solo’s contract as an allocated United States national team player.
