By CAITLIN MURRAY
Goalkeeper Hope Solo has broken her silence on her latest controversy.
After serving a 30-day suspension, Solo spoke with Good Morning America about the incident that led to the ban, which was lifted over the weekend, and called her behavior a mistake.
“Well, clearly, I wasn’t thinking,” she said in the GMA interview, which will air Wednesday morning. “I mean, it was a horrible choice.”
Solo was riding passenger with her husband in January when he was arrested for DUI. He was driving a van rented by U.S. Soccer and, at the time, Solo was in residency at a U.S. Women’s National Team training camp.
According to TMZ, which broke the story, Solo was difficult with police officers on the scene.
“I think I just wasn’t in a good place, emotionally, to even make good decisions,” Solo said. “I mean, it’s not an excuse but I just — it was stupid. Should’ve called a taxi.”
The incident happened just one week after a domestic violence case against her had been dismissed. She was accused of assaulting her sister and nephew at a family gathering. U.S. Soccer stood by Solo amid calls for her to be bench, with coach Jill Ellis and U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati calling for the legal process to play out.
“All of us, in my opinion, have a fundamental right to be considered innocent until proven guilty,” Solo said. “I know U.S. Soccer took a lot of heat, but I am very grateful that they let due process play itself out. Those eight months were some of the worst months of my entire life.”
During her 30-day suspension, the USWNT called on backup goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris to fill in for an overseas tour to play France and England, a loss and a win. Now Solo is with the USWNT in Portugal to compete in the Algarve Cup, which begins against Norway next week.
“All of us, in my opinion, have a fundamental right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.”
That is a legal presumption of due process that exists to protect citizens from governmental prosecution. It does not extend to the court of public opinion.
Cut “It was…” and paste “I am…”
True, who really knows what her issues are, but she does resemble a pro athlete who thinks because she looks good and makes an above average income, that she is above the law, or at least, above normal civil behavior. I agree that she should seek some kind of counseling now, to learn how to act like an adult and make big girl decisions.
“she should”…”she should” isn’t it just so easy to judge others from your own high moral computer?
Oh the irony. You do realize you just did to Limey and 20 what you accuse them of doing to Solo, right? Besides, I think you overinterpret what they meant by “should”. They were making suggestions or recommendations, not implying any kind of obligation on Solo’s part.
That being said, the suggestions were IMHO very good ones.
One more incident and she could be done with the national team. She should get involved with a charity or in her community, it may help her redeem herself and become a happier person.
Sounds like at best she has some anger control issues, maybe a personality disorder. Either way she should seek/get professional help.