Hope Solo previously called out the NWSL for what she deemed to be unprofessional work conditions. Now, two months later, Solo says she is done with the league, at least for this season.
Solo was recently suspended and then ousted from the United States Women’s Soccer Team following her latest outburst from the Olympics, calling Sweden a bunch of cowards. Her reaction to hearing the news was captured on camera. Solo is no stranger to drama, and it appears she is choosing to take some time away from the pitch to get her mind right.
“Mentally, I’m not there yet,” Solo said Tuesday. Solo was referring to her competitive drive.
It has been a rough stretch for Solo, of which she carries the bulk of the responsibility for, and at the age of 35, the reality is perhaps starting to settle in she only has a little bit of time left being one of the top goalkeepers in the women’s game.
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) August 30, 2016
“Coming to terms with the fact I was fired from the U.S. women’s national team after 17 years of service has been devastating,” Solo said in her statement Tuesday. “After careful consideration, I have decided to end my season with the Seattle Reign, an organization I love playing for. Mentally, I am not there yet.”
Solo went on to add she feels removing herself from the Reign will be good for the team’s immediate success, as Haley Kopmeyer has been handling the goaltending duties well.
From Laura Harvey: “While disappointed that Hope will not return to Reign FC this season, we understand and respect her decision."
— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) August 30, 2016
“Hope has always wanted what is best for our team. She demands from herself nothing less than excellence on the pitch.”
— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) August 30, 2016
Solo will not be with the team for any postseason run. Her focus may possibly shift to an eventual return to the United States national team in February, but that remains to be seen given how things went down following the elimination from the Olympics and the outburst that followed.
