If you are a fan of the USWNT, you know all too well that Hope Solo has always been the problem child of the team.
Not to say she isn’t arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the game, but her attitude has always been a huge problem. After a series of run-ins with the law, Solo was slapped with a 30-day suspension, which she served fully and willfully.
Apparently, that suspension was just what she needed to get on the right path. Even though the team struggled during her absence, it proved to be a good motivator. Hope Solo’s return helped the USWNT win the Algarve Cup in early March.
Solo’s absence was only a contributing factor to the struggles of the USWNT. They were also missing several key players due to injuries and playing with rookie replacements as well as adjusting to a new coach.
According to Solo’s personal Facebook page, she has started a blog chronicling her time while she was suspended, the team’s journey to the World Cup, and her personal progress toward becoming a better person.
She opens up about how therapy has helped her control her attitude and work through her personal issues, as well as the support she has received from her teammates. In her first blog post she writes, “During my month away from the national team, I had a lot of time to think, and to reassess my life and career. I also learned a lot about myself.”
For her sake and the sake of the team, let’s hope (no pun intended) that she can stay on the right track, because the team does not need anymore distractions this close to the World Cup.
