Hope Solo could be left off US World Cup team: Report

Hope Solo faces the possibility of being left off the American roster for this year's Women's World Cup if the goalkeeper fails to complete tasks set for her by the U.S. Soccer Federation, which may include alcohol counseling.

The troubled soccer star was suspended for 30 days last Wednesday for what the U.S. Soccer Federation called "an incident that occurred during the current WNT training camp" in Carson, California.

On Monday, USSF President Sunil Gulati answered questions about Solo being left off the team.

"Look, that's possible," he said. "We hope that's not the case. We hope she's making progress and joins the team. That's certainly the goal, hers and ours."

Jerramy Stevens, Solo's husband, was driving a team vehicle when he was arrested last week on suspicion of driving under the influence, a person familiar with the details of the arrest told The Associated Press last week. 

Solo was ordered to refrain from drinking alcohol last June after she was arrested on domestic violence charges at her sister's home in Kirkland, Washington. The charge was dropped this month.

Speaking on a conference call with U.S. coach Jill Ellis, Gulati said he had to speak carefully because of the involvement of "health-related issues." Asked whether Solo had been asked to undergo alcohol counseling, Gulati said "I think neither of us denied or confirmed that."

"She's been given time to deal with some issues, and we think that in this period she'll certainly start that process, and we'll evaluate," he said.

Gulati said the length of the suspension was determined during conversations he had with Ellis and USSF Secretary General Dan Flynn.

"Thirty days seemed to be the appropriate suspension under our rules and given the circumstances," he said. "So there are a number of things that Hope is being asked to do in that 30 days. We're not going to get into the specifics of that. And then we'll evaluate where things stand at the end of that period and make the decision going forward."

Solo will miss exhibition games at France (Feb. 8) and at England (Feb. 13). She could return for the Algarve Cup tournament in Portugal in March.

US Soccer president defends Hope Solo playing despite domestic violence charges: Report

U.S. Soccer defended its decision to allow goalkeeper Hope Solo to continue to play for the women's national team while she faces domestic violence charges.

The 33-year-old Solo is charged with two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree domestic violence assault in Washington state stemming from an altercation with her sister-in-law and 17-year-old nephew in June — but is still allowed to compete.

In a statement issued Monday night, U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said the federation would stand by its decision to allow due process to take its course before ruling on Solo's national team status.

"From the beginning, we considered the information available and have taken a deliberate and thoughtful approach regarding Hope Solo's status with the National Team," Gulati said. "Based on that information, U.S. Soccer stands by our decision to allow her to participate with the team as the legal process unfolds. If new information becomes available we will carefully consider it."

The statement was issued hours after U.S. Olympic Committee chief executive Scott Blackmun called the allegations against Solo "disturbing and inconsistent with our expectations of Olympians," but he stopped short of saying she should face immediate disciplinary action from the team.

And contrary to a seemingly double-standard which applies for male athletes in the NFL charged with the same crime.

"We have had discussions with U.S. Soccer and fully expect them to take action if it is determined that the allegations are true," Blackmun told USA Today Sports in an email. "Abuse in all forms is unacceptable."

Solo, who has been with the national team since 2000 and recently set the team record for the most shutouts last week, continues to play for the United States in meaningless exhibition matches and with her National Women's Soccer League team, the Seattle Reign, following her arrest.

Gulati said Monday the organization will let her play until the legal matter is settled.

Solo has pleaded not guilty and the case is scheduled for trial on November 4. She faces up to six months in jail if convicted.