Photo by Brad Smith/ISIPhotos.com
By CAITLIN MURRAY
U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper Hope Solo was arrested early Saturday morning for her alleged involvement in a domestic violence incident with two family members, Seattle-area media has reported.
Solo was charged with two counts of fourth-degree assault and is scheduled for a mandatory court appearance Monday.
Police responded to a disturbance call at Solo’s residence around 1 a.m. Saturday and a witness alleged to police that an intoxicated Solo had been “hitting people,” according to the Seattle Times. Officers reported observing visible injuries on Solo’s sister and 17-year-old nephew.
“There was a big party going on at her house,” responding officer Lt. Mike Murray told the Seattle Times. “It was an out-of-control situation.”
Solo had skipped a friendly against France on Thursday in East Hartford, Conn. with U.S. Soccer saying she was unavailable due to a “family commitment.”
Solo’s club, Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, is scheduled for a road game Sunday against the Western New York Flash in Rochester, N.Y., but it appears Solo was not going to be there. It’s unclear how the arrest could affect upcoming games thereafter.
“We are aware of the situation with Hope and are now gathering information,” Reign FC said in a statement. “We do not have any additional information to share at this time.”
This is not the first run-in with the law for Solo and her husband, former NFL player Jerramy Stevens. In November 2012, Stevens was arrested on the eve of their wedding for reportedly getting into a fight with guests at Solo’s home in Kirkland, Wash. The charges were later dropped.
At the time, Solo had publicly pushed back against the media attention surrounding the incident and early speculation Solo had been hit, telling the reporters: “It’s unfortunate what the media can do to judge before the facts are out there. It’s hard to see, but it’s a hard truth, and it’s part of life. I’m happy. I’m happily married. I would never stand for domestic violence.”
Solo is on track to break the USWNT’s goalkeeper record for most shutouts. She had tied Briana Scurry’s record of 71 clean sheets last week in the first of a two-game friendly set against France. Solo has 152 caps with the national team.