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Hope Solo reinstated to U.S. women’s soccer team ahead of Algarve Cup

U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo smiles on the sideline before a match against Haiti in Washington on Oct. 20. Solo was reinstated by the U.S. women's national team Saturday.
(Alex Brandon / Associated Press)
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Hope Solo was reinstated to the U.S. women’s soccer team Saturday, ending a 30-day suspension that had left her participation in this summer’s World Cup in doubt.

But while Solo’s expulsion from last month’s training camp in Southern California ignited a media frenzy that included a conference call with U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati, her return was handled quietly as part of a two-page news release announcing the 25-player preliminary roster for next month’s Algarve Cup tournament in Portugal.

In the release, U.S. Soccer said Solo was reinstated “after a formal review” but declined further comment.

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Solo, whose brilliance on the field has been rivaled by her troubles off it, was sent home from training camp after her husband, former NFL player Jerramy Stevens, was charged with driving under the influence while behind the wheel of a U.S. Soccer van. Solo, who was a passenger in the van, was not charged by police but was later suspended by Coach Jill Ellis for making “a poor decision that has resulted in a negative impact on U.S. Soccer and her teammates.”

The ban sidelined her from two European friendlies this month, a 2-0 loss to France and a 1-0 win over England. Ashlyn Harris started both games in Solo’s place.

The January incident came just six days after two counts of domestic violence against Solo were dismissed by a judge in Washington state. Solo was charged in June with assaulting two relatives at their Seattle-area home, and responding officers said Solo appeared intoxicated.

Solo was ordered by a judge to refrain from drinking alcohol after her arrest. At the time of her suspension, Gulati and Ellis said “there are a number of things that Hope is being asked to do” to qualify for reinstatement but neither would say if rehab was among those requirements.

Solo, 33, is widely recognized as one of the best goalkeepers in women’s soccer history. She holds the U.S. record with 78 shutouts and is second to Briana Scurry in wins (124), games (162) and starts (156).

Also returning for the Algarve Cup is defender Christie Rampone and midfielder Megan Rapinoe, who both missed the earlier European games with injuries. Forward Sydney Leroux, who made the trip but did not suit up after turning an ankle in training, was also named to the preliminary roster.

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The Algarve Cup, a 12-nation tournament featuring nine World Cup-bound teams, will begin March 4 with the U.S. scheduled to face Norway, Switzerland and Iceland in pool play.

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