Hope Solo

Hope Amelia Solo (born July 30, 1981) is an American soccer goalkeeper and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. She has been goalkeeping for the United States women's national soccer team since 2000.

2000s

 * It was the wrong decision, and I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that. There's no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves.
 * As quoted in "U.S. Goalkeeper Faces Difficult Save", The New York Times (May 25, 2008).

2010s

 * What I love about this team is the fact that you can feel the energy and trust - even after the defeat against Sweden. That's the really special thing about this group. Even when we were a player down and a goal behind in extra time, you sensed that something was going to happen. The team kept fighting. You can't teach that. It's a feeling - and we play with that feeling.
 * As quoted in "Brazil-USA Quotes: USA goalkeeper and Player of the Match Hope Solo", fifa.com (July 10, 2011)


 * I have a lot of critics; we all know that. And I do kind of want to say — you know, put my middle finger up to everybody and say, think what you want about me. I am who I am. But at the end of the day, I'm an athlete that wants to win.
 * As quoted in Hope Solo: 'I speak the truth, and people either love me or they hate me'", seattlepi.com (August 29, 2012)


 * With all the controversy, I know that my play speaks for itself. I'm one of the best goalkeepers this country has ever seen. On a global stage, I have respect in the goalkeeping world. So all the negativity coming from the outside, I know I’m helping bring success to the U.S. women’s national team. And everything I do, I play to win and I speak the truth, and people either love me or they hate me.
 * As quoted in "Hope Solo: 'I speak the truth, and people either love me or they hate me'", seattlepi.com (August 29, 2012)


 * It’s been a crazy year, as always — the story of my life — but it’s been a great year. Right now, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my personal life. I’m happily married. Yeah, there’s lots of ups and downs, but that’s what makes us strong is getting through them all.
 * As quoted in "Hope Solo: 'I'm the happiest I’ve ever been in my personal life. I'm happily married'", Seattle Times (January 24, 2013)


 * I’m in the spotlight, but not the truth. That’s hard to accept, but that is unfortunately kind of how the world is and how the media is. Whether it’s with Hollywood, whether it’s with sports figures, whether it’s the president, that’s kind of how it works. I’m realistic and I understand that. That’s why it’s important for me to know who I am, to know I’m living my life the way I want to live, and that I am happy. At the end of the day, I can’t really let myself get too angry about outside opinions that are or aren’t true.
 * As quoted in "Hope Solo: 'I'm the happiest I’ve ever been in my personal life. I’m happily married'", Seattle Times (January 24, 2013)


 * You need to leave my property, bitch!
 * To Teresa Obert (28 December 2013), as quoted in Kirkland Police Report (2014).


 * Say that to me one more time and I'll punch you in the face!
 * To Teresa Obert (28 December 2013), as quoted in Kirkland Police Report (2014).


 * You're such a bitch. You're scared of me because you know that if the handcuffs were off, I'd kick your ass!
 * To a Washingtonian policeman (21 June 2014), as quoted in "Police Documents Reveal Shocking New Details on Hope Solo's Domestic Violence Arrest" (8 June 2015), People.


 * I got blasted with a ball to the face at practice. It doesn't hurt as much as you'd think – not if you're strong and keep your face in it. It only hurts if you pull away.
 * As quoted in "Hope Solo: Domestic Violence Drama Has Been 'Traumatic and Embarrassing'", People.com (June 17, 2015)

Quotes about Solo

 * Hope Solo is soft-spoken, smart and incredibly dedicated to her craft and her sport. She cares very much about the little girls who write her letters and wear her jersey. She is not a monster, not even close. But that doesn't mean she is incapable of doing something wrong in a heated moment and then trying to convince others and herself that it wasn't as bad or as true as other people say. U.S. Soccer has to know this.
 * Eric Adelson, Yahoo Sports


 * Soccer today faces huge challenges as the FIFA scandal unfolds. Hope Solo continuing to play goalie for Team USA, just months before she will appear in court to face domestic violence charges, raises troubling questions about the state of the game.
 * Richard Blumenthal, USA Today (June 2015)


 * Cristiane with a chance to put Brazil at level. Hope Solo saved it! A hero again! What is it with Hope Solo and Brazil? Now what's the referee doing here? Is? The penalty? Is it going to have to be retaken? Because they're claiming Solo moved before the ball was kicked. Now this is very controversial, and Solo has got a yellow card for that as well. This is highly contentious! Now look at this again, does she move off the line? No, no, no, no! That is an astonishing decision in my view.
 * Ian Darke, Brazil v. United States (10 July 2011), 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup


 * Just incredible! Look at Hope Solo celebrate! There is an American party going on, all around the terraces! Surely the whistle's going to go any second, and it will be a penalty shootout. Abby Wambach in the one hundred and twenty-second minute. Well that does match the drama of the men's World Cup last year, and the Landon Donovan goal which saved the USA against Algeria, doesn't it? Well, well, well! And the goal was scored in the time added on for the largely bogus injury, we think, to Érika. Is there some kind of poetic justice in that? It's not finished yet, though. Still the referee plays on, and here's Marta again! Solo beats it away; it will be a corner. How much more of this can there possibly be? It is over! It will be a penalty shoot-out! An incredible finish, one of the great climaxes to any World Cup match! Brazil are denied at the death! A ten-woman USA save it! Wow, we need to get our breath back. So let's go back to Bob Ley for a moment.
 * Ian Darke, Brazil v. United States (10 July 2011), 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup


 * Daiane, whose own goal started all the talking points today after seventy-four seconds. Seems a long, long time ago now. It was into this goal, now Brazil need her to put one in legitimately for them. Yes! Brilliant save from Solo, brilliant save! And that one is legal, and now that means, that if the United States put in the last two penalties, they will go into the semi-finals. That is a moment of magic from Hope Solo!
 * Ian Darke, Brazil v. United States (10 July 2011), 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.


 * Hope Solo is a hero on the field. Repeat, on the field.
 * Juliet Macur, "Hope Solo Is a Hero on the Field. Repeat, on the Field." (9 June 2015), by J. Macur, The New York Times, New York: The New York Times Company.


 * (After Solo had called the Swedish team cowards for highly defensive tactics at the 2016 Olympic Quarter Final) I don't give a crap. I'm going to Rio, she's going home.
 * Pia Sundhage,