Team USA women's soccer goalie Hope Solo is not yet ready to return to active play. The 35-year old Olympian is in mental stress following a six-month ban from the national team due to "unethical remarks."
The Guardian cites Solo saying that she will sit out the remainder of 2016 NWSL season with Seattle Reign. Solo stress that the love for soccer is still there but recent developments, including the ban, resulted to mental stress. She also calls the decision of US soccer president Sunil Gulati to ban her from the sport as "devastating." Solo serves as a cornerstone defense of women's national team in 17 years.
To recall, Solo's statement after a game against Sweden during the Rio Olympics starts the scandal that led to her being fired from the team. Sweden defeated Team USA in the quarterfinals, prompting Solo to blurt that they faced a "team of cowards."
US Soccer Committee then calls Solo's statement as unacceptable. Gulati also states that US team follows conduct of fair play and mutual respect. Gulati adds that Solo is a representative of United States in international competition so is expected to act accordingly.
US Soccer's decision was also considered as a dual-blow for Solo's career. First is the ban from playing in the team. Then her contract was also rescinded, putting a barrier until February of 2017 for her to rejoin the national squad. Although her other contracts with professional league is not affected due to committee's lack of clout in the pro arena.
Solo's decision came amidst critical position of Seattle Reign in NWSL. The squad is holding by a thread in the fifth place with four games remaining in regular season. Apparently, Solo is needed to defend the goal for a better chance at fourth-place finish. This could then make the team qualify to proceed to the post season.
