Women's World Cup Gives Hope Solo Chance to Put Focus Back on Pitch

(NOTE: This article was published before additional allegations surfaced regarding Solo, via ESPN.)

Few can doubt Hope Solo's talent. Fewer still would deny that this summer represents an important opportunity for the United States goalkeeper.

As the U.S. heads to Canada this month in search of a record third Women's World Cup title, the 33-year-old Solo remains among the elite group of players who can make a claim to be the world's top goalkeeper.

But in the past year, a series of incidents has shifted the media's focus off Solo's traits as a player and onto her off-field activities. With those problems in the past and the matches set to start, Solo has a chance to shift that focus back onto the pitch. 

If she seizes the chance, Solo will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest players in U.S. women's soccer history.

Solo's off-field issues began last June with her arrest on a domestic-violence charge following an early-morning incident involving the player's sister and nephew. Police visited Solo's home around 1 a.m. local time, and authorities held the goalkeeper without bail after a male caller had claimed that a female in the residence was "hitting people," per Scott Gleeson of USA Today.

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Solo reportedly appeared intoxicated, and police Lt. Mike Murray said, "There was a big party going on at her house. It was an out-of-control situation."

Despite the arrest, Solo continued to play with the U.S., a decision that seemed justified when a judge later dismissed the charges, per Sports Illustrated. For her part, Solo said she "used lawful force" in self-defense against her nephew, who stands 6'9" and weighs 280 pounds.

But the off-field issues were not finished.

In January, U.S. Soccer suspended Solo for 30 days shortly after a separate incident in which Solo's husband, former NFL tight end Jerramy Stevens, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, as reported by ESPN. In that report, however, ESPN cited sources that said the suspension "was the result of a culmination of things," while U.S. Soccer noted an unspecified incident in camp as further justification.

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Solo was not arrested, but the federation was firm in its stance. The ESPN article quotes a statement from U.S. national team coach Jill Ellis: "During our current national team camp, Hope made a poor decision that has resulted in a negative impact on U.S. Soccer and her teammates...We feel at this time it is best for her to step away from the team."

But after serving her suspension, Solo is back with the team and ready for another World Cup run. And despite her off-field entanglements, a simple truth remains: Solo is one of the top goalkeepers in the world.

Never one to avoid speaking her mind, Solo has courted on-field controversy in the past as well. In 2007, after being benched for the World Cup semifinal (a game the U.S. lost in a rout), the goalkeeper publicly criticized coach Greg Ryan for starting Briana Scurry instead.

(In her memoir, published in 2012, Solo accused Ryan of shoving her during the 2007 World Cup, a charge Ryan denied.)

But for all the controversy, Solo has always been a top goalkeeper. Athletic and intelligent, the former University of Washington star commands her box and leads the U.S. defense with superior positioning and instincts. Four years ago in the last Women's World Cup, the American No. 1 earned FIFA's Golden Glove award as the top goalkeeper in the tournament. She also finished third in the voting for the tournament's best overall player, winning the Bronze Ball.

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press/Associated Press

"It's a bittersweet feeling," Solo told the FIFA website at the time. "My goal has always been to be the top goalkeeper in the world, and it's also been my goal to be world champion too, so I'm not entirely happy."

She added: "It's been a bit tough to come out here and collect these prizes. I'd have preferred to be up there picking up another trophy with my teammates rather than the individual awards."

In September of last year, Solo recorded her 72nd career clean sheet, passing Scurry—her old rival—for most in U.S. women's history. She reached the milestone in 154 international matches, meaning she posted a shutout in nearly every second game with the national team.

"It's been a long journey," Solo told the Associated Press (h/t ESPN) after setting the record. "A lot of tears, a lot of blood, a lot of sweat. Some heartaches, some incredible moments."

With the benefit of hindsight, those remarks seem especially prescient to us now. More than anything, though, Solo's comments were almost painfully accurate. Life in the spotlight hasn't always been easy for America's No. 1, as the past year has illustrated. But with another string of strong performances in goal for the U.S. this summer, the world's attention will be back on the pitch, where it belongs.

And if the Americans can claim another world title, further individual awards and accolades will quickly follow. Unlike Scurry, Solo has never won the World Cup. If that changes, Solo would certainly rank among the team's greatest-ever players, if she doesn't already.

Follow @MiguelCominguez.