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.

Klinsmann not happy about Team US 'victory parade' for tie against Mexico

The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced a special "victory parade" in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the scoreless  0-0 draw in a World Cup qualifier against Mexico, reports Yahoo! Sports.

The officially ended in a tie. But it was only the second time the U.S team earned a point in World Cup qualifiers and it felt like a win — especially since it came in the raucous, sold-out Estadio Azteca. American reaction to the stand-off was as if the third-place team had won a tournament and now the USSF is pulling out all the stops to show their affection.

"This is a historic event for the U.S. national team and the fact that it comes in our federation's centennial year only makes it more special," USSF president Sunil Gulati told reporters. "So, like Spain does after winning every real trophy, we will hold a victory parade through our nation's capital to mark this momentous occasion. There will be balloon animals for the kids and the fan who had the most mystery liquids thrown on them at the Azteca will be awarded the Medal of Honor. By Morgan Freeman. Dressed as Abraham Lincoln."

The tie leaves the U.S. in third place three games into the six-nation, 10-game qualifying tournament for Brazil 2014 after a game in which they were outshot 19-1 and helped by a referee who ignored Mexico's penalty shot in the second half.

The U.S. squad's coach Jurgen Klinsmann doesn't sound like a big fan of twisted balloons or even "The Shawshank Redemption" actor in a beard and stovepipe hat.

"I think it's a stupid idea," said Klinsmann when asked about the parade. "We need to act like this has happened before -- which it has in 1990-freaking-seven -- and move on with the qualification process. Now let's focus on actually winning matches and things instead of Morgan Freeman in a Lincoln suit."

Mexicans weren't as jubilant about the tie as their U.S. counterparts. Fans south of the border booed their team off the field after it fell to fifth in a qualifying tournament in which only three teams are guaranteed berths in Brazil.

For the U.S., it all sounds like the trophy-less, self-esteem building, "everyone's a winner" coddling — that is rampant in kid's sports  today — has finally made it to the big leagues.