Two months after the domestic violence arrest of U.S. soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo became a national issue, a well-known teammate is speaking out, expressing concern about the situation and place of the U.S. women’s national team. United States in the domestic violence debate.
“It’s tough because we’re in a tough position because we’re teammates with Hope and we’re role models as well, so we know how big it is and we know how big a problem it is,” veteran Abby Wambach said in an interview Monday evening. after leading the United States to a 6-0 victory over Haiti in Women’s World Cup qualifying at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
“It’s not out of our hands in any way. But I think on a lot of different levels our hands are tied. US Soccer made the decisions that they made and we’re here to play soccer, we’re here for us qualify, we know it wasn’t so easy last time and therefore we find ourselves in a difficult position.
“I can understand why people ask questions, but at the end of the day, when decisions are made and we are not in those positions to make decisions, you have to follow what US Soccer and Sunil (Gulati, the president of the organization) has decided.”
Solo is awaiting trial on two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence for allegedly attacking her 17-year-old nephew and his sister at her sister’s home in Kirkland, Washington, in June. US Soccer’s decision to allow him to continue playing for the national team in exhibition matches this summer and now in qualifying this fall for the 2015 World Cup in Canada has come under scrutiny following the decision to the NFL to suspend stars Ray Rice and Greg Hardy. and Adrian Peterson for their roles, admitted or alleged, in similar incidents.
“The fact that this has taken off with the NFL, I understand that, because it’s a huge, huge topic,” Wambach said. “We want to be good role models, and that’s something that’s very important for everyone on the team.”
Wambach did not say whether or not she would have allowed Solo to perform while awaiting trial. Her tone was measured and thoughtful, balancing concern for a longtime and vital teammate with her long-held passion for inspiring children through sport.
But she said she hoped Solo would be exonerated.
“I think the situation is different whether people want to believe it or not,” she said. “It’s hard for us because we want to support her, but there’s a whole other dimension to it. I think the truth will come out in her case. Nobody was there, so everyone can interpret, ‘Oh , well, whatever happened.’ with this Ray Rice situation, that’s obviously what happened in this Hope case, and that’s just not the case, I think the truth will come out and people will understand.
When asked if it was a privilege or a right to play for a national team in a World Cup or Olympics – a topic of intense conversation in Solo’s situation – Wambach didn’t hesitate .
“Of course it’s a privilege,” she said. “It’s a privilege. It’s an honor. Absolutely. We can do sports as a profession, not many people can do it, and we sacrifice a lot, and so in that sacrifice come certain standards and laws that you have to respect, whether it is drug testing or meeting higher standards.
“It’s something that I’m proud of, that this team is proud of, and it’s just hard, because like anything, when people are built that high on a mountain, they only have one way to fall. I don’t want there to be too much collateral damage with Hope in this situation because she’s obviously my teammate and she’s a great player.
“But of course,” Wambach said, “we are all held to a higher standard.”
