Hope Solo: American Goalkeeper Will Make Deep Run on Dancing with the Stars

Hope Solo, who earned celebrity status during the United States Women's National Team's run to the World Cup Final, during the summer, had a strong first performance on Dancing with the Stars. Judging by her Viennese Waltz on opening night, it's safe to say Solo is in it for the long haul.

Solo has already outlasted the other athlete in the field of 12, Metta World Peace. After struggling with his version of the Cha-Cha-Cha, Ron Artest received a 14 out of 30 score and did not advance to the second week.

As for Solo, she received a seven from all three judges for a combined score of 21. That score ranked her third behind actor J.R. Martinez and musician Chynna Phillips.

The American goalkeeper should improve as the competition goes on and her soccer schedule dies down for awhile. She was in between the pipes as recently as Saturday, when the U.S. tied Canada. The team next plays on Thursday night in Portland, Ore.

Next week Solo and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy will be performing the Jive. The 1930s dance will be a good test for the usually quick-footed keeper.

Prior to the season premiere on Monday, Solo was widely considered one of the favorites to win the competition and nothing has changed. Especially since her nagging shoulder injury that bothered her throughout the World Cup is no longer an issue.

Solo has always been a fiery competitor, as evidenced by her 2007 outburst after being left on the bench for a crucial World Cup game. That helps her in this competition and is the main reason so many athletes have triumphed on the show. You need to have the desire to win in order to succeed and she definitely has it.

While Peace would have been an interesting character to have on the show for a few more weeks, his elimination helps Solo. The “sports vote” should keep her safe through the middle stages of the season, even if she has an off week.

Solo and teammate Alex Morgan became American sweethearts for their sheer determination (and of course, good looks) during the team's impressive run before falling to Japan. There's no doubt that will also aid in her quest for the ballroom trophy.

Add up all those factors and, barring a major gaffe, it's pretty clear the Solo will be around into November. And sports fans will be cheering her on all the way.