U.S. Soccer reinstates Hope Solo to roster ahead of Algarve Cup
Hope Solo will return to the United States women’s national team in time for the Algarve Cup after U.S. Soccer reinstated her from a 30-day suspension on Saturday.
Solo missed the recent friendlies against France and England after receiving the ban in the wake of an incident involving her and her husband, Jerramy Stevens, the unauthorized use of a team van and his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence in Manhattan Beach, Calif. on Jan. 20 during the team’s January training camp.
U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati and U.S. women’s national team coach Jill Ellis established a series of steps in the wake of Solo’s suspension and required her to make progress toward fulfilling those objectives during her time away from the team.
After a formal review, U.S. Soccer decided to reinstate Solo after her suspension and pave the way for Ellis to name her in a 25-player squad for the trip to Portugal next month, per federation release.
Ellis named her strongest available squad for the excursion to Portugal with regular fixtures Megan Rapinoe (knee) and Christine Rampone (back) restored to the squad after missing the February friendlies through injury.
Sydney Leroux also kept her place in the squad after recovering from an ankle knock that kept her out against England, but veteran goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart and midfielder Tori Huster missed out after featuring in the most recent squad.
Ellis will hope to guide her players through group matches against Norway (March 4, 2:00p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports Go), Switzerland (March 6, 12:00p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports Go) and Iceland (March 9, 1:30p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports Go) to earn a place in the final of the three-group, 12-team tournament on March 11 (TBD, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports Go).
“The value of the Algarve Cup is of course great games against top teams in a tournament format without much rest,” Ellis said in a statement. “In any year, this tournament presents great challenges, but as we continue to progress towards the World Cup, we want to get tested at the highest possible levels. Our opponents at this tournament give us another opportunity to gauge our depth and fitness.”
Goalkeepers: Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers) and Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC).
Defenders: Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Whitney Engen (Western NY Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City) and Rachel Van Hollebeke (Portland Thorns FC).
Midfielders: Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars), Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Heather O'Reilly (FC Kansas City) and Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC).
Forwards: Sydney Leroux (Seattle Reign FC), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City) and Abby Wambach (Western NY Flash).
