04/18/24
August 28, 2016
Hope Solo takes leave of absence: Hope Solo, who was suspended from the U.S. Women's National Team after the Olympics, has been granted a leave of absence from the NWSL's Seattle Reign.
Perhaps she has really good personal reasons for doing this, but I think this seems like a mistake for her international career. Her best hope to earn a spot back on the squad after the suspension is to be out there playing well for somebody.
Landon Donovan and Tim Howard both took breaks. Donovan didn't make the last World Cup and Howard was a backup in the Copa.
Here, Solo's suspended for a good reason and taking a playing break.
posted by rcade at 12:49 PM on August 30, 2016
Is this all over the post-game comments from the Sweden match?
posted by tron7 at 09:54 AM on August 31, 2016
Is this all over the post-game comments from the Sweden match?
Sweden comments were apparently the straw that broke the camel's back. Basically it's a yellow card accumulation.
As much as I dislike Solo, I'm not convinced those comments deserved to be the tipping point in warranting a suspension.
Perhaps she has really good personal reasons for doing this, but I think this seems like a mistake for her international career...
Donovan's sabbatical was for mental health reasons. I suspect that Solo's reasons are similar. Whatever went on in that meeting, she's convinced that her career with the USWNT is over.
Going into this past weekend there were 5 games left in the NWSL regular season and the Reign are still in contention for a playoff spot. If she feels she's not where she should be mentally to perform up to her standards, then she did the right thing in stepping away for the remainder of the season. Playing in those games isn't going to help her cause to get back on the US roster after her suspension if her performance is subpar.
As much as people enjoy railing on her for her mistakes off the field (myself included), she's known to be a great teammate on the field. The current Sky Blue keeper spent some time in Seattle last year as a rookie and had nothing but praise for Solo. She's putting the team first by stepping away and I can't fault her for that.
And fuck you US Soccer making me defend Hope Solo.
posted by goddam at 12:35 PM on August 31, 2016
As much as I dislike Solo, I'm not convinced those comments deserved to be the tipping point in warranting a suspension.
Same page. A guy says that 100x a year in North American sports without it even making the front of the local sports section. If those things still exist.
posted by yerfatma at 01:53 PM on August 31, 2016
Now if only she could get together with Ryan Lochte...