A Washington judge on Tuesday dismissed all charges against Hope Solo, clearing the longtime US women’s national team goalkeeper in a domestic assault case that has hung over her head since June.
Solo, 33, was not present in court when a Kirkland Municipal Court judge dismissed the charges at the request of Solo’s attorney. Solo is currently training with the USWNT in California, but her husband, former University of Washington football player Jerramy Stevens, was in attendance.
“Today’s decision brings closure to what has been one of the most difficult and emotionally draining times of my life,” Solo wrote on her Facebook page on Tuesday. “I always had faith that once the facts of the case were presented, I would be cleared of all charges and I am so happy and relieved to finally have it all behind me.”
Solo had faced two counts of fourth-degree domestic violence for allegedly hitting her half-sister and nephew at her older sister's Kirkland home last June. Solo was arrested following the incident but later claimed self-defense and pleaded not guilty to the gross-misdemeanor charges.
Solo's attorney repeatedly asked the court to dismiss the charges, arguing Solo was actually the victim and the two alleged victims were uncooperative in the preparation for the trial and repeatedly changed their stories. Twice, Solo’s half-sister and nephew failed to show up for an interview with the Solo’s attorney ahead of the trial, which was scheduled to begin Jan. 20.
Despite some critics’ calls for her to be suspended by U.S. Soccer following the arrest, Solo was never disciplined for the incident. She appeared in 19 games for the USWNT in 2014, 10 of which came after her arrest.
“U.S. Soccer takes the issue of domestic violence very seriously,” USSF president Sunil Gulati said in a statement before the CONCACAF championship earlier this year, which the US ultimately won. “From the beginning, we considered the information available and have taken a deliberate and thoughtful approach regarding Hope Solo’s status with the national team. U.S. Soccer stands by our decision to allow her to participate with the team as the legal process unfolds. If new information becomes available we will carefully consider it.”
A Washington native, Solo also plays for the NWSL’s Seattle Reign, who will begin their season in April. The FIFA Women’s World Cup runs June 6 – July 5 in Canada.
“I would like to thank my legal team, the U.S. Soccer Federation, my coaches and teammates on the U.S. National Team, and the Seattle Reign organization,” Solo said on Facebook, “all of whom, under great pressure to do otherwise, chose to stand by and believe in me.”
“I look forward to joining my team with a clear mind to train, compete, and help bring a World Cup title to the U.S. in 2015.”
