Former US women’s national team goaltender Hope Solo tweeted Friday that she is voluntarily attending an inpatient alcohol treatment program and called for her induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame to be postponed until 2023.
Solo, 40, was arrested March 31 after she was found passed out at the wheel of a vehicle with her two-year-old twins inside in North Carolina.
In the tweet, Solo wrote, “I have contacted the Hall of Fame and respectfully requested that my Hall of Fame induction ceremony be postponed to 2023. I will voluntarily enter an inpatient alcohol treatment program to address my alcohol issues.
“At this time my energy and focus is fully directed towards my health, healing and caring for my family. I would like to thank the Hall of Fame for their support and understanding of my decision.”
The Hall of Fame issued a statement on Friday, saying, “Legendary USWNT goaltender and inductee into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2022, Hope Solo has decided to postpone her induction to 2023. The NSHOF fully supports her decision and looks forward to honoring her and her story of achievements at next year’s induction ceremony.”
According to an arrest transcript obtained by ESPN, Solo was found passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle in a parking lot in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with the engine running and her two children in the back seat. She was charged with unfit driving, misdemeanor child endangerment and misdemeanor arrest after refusing to get out of the car. She also refused a field sobriety test, which results in an automatic suspension of her license for a year. Her blood was later drawn.
After spending part of the night in jail, she was released and is scheduled to appear in court on June 28.
Solo had a glittering career with the USA, but controversy was seldom far away. She was suspended for 30 days in early 2015 after she and her husband Jerramy Stevens were pulled over in a US Soccer van and Stevens was charged with drunk driving. Solo was also arrested following a domestic violence incident involving family members in 2014, although those charges were eventually dropped.
Solo’s career has also seen clashes with the US Soccer Association and coaches. She was benched by then-coach Greg Ryan ahead of the 2007 World Cup semi-final against Brazil. Following the US team’s 4-0 loss, Solo made comments questioning the decision, which were also interpreted as criticism of teammate Briana Scurry.
After the US team’s elimination at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, Solo called Sweden “cowards” for their defensive tactics, which resulted in the Swedes eventually prevailing on penalties. Shortly thereafter, she was fired from the team.
Solo played 202 games for the USA and was part of the 2015 world winning team and Olympic gold medalists in 2008 and 2012.