Hope Solo Suspended from #USWNT for Six Months Over Sweden Comments

The U.S. national women’s soccer squad has suspended Hope Solo, the team’s goal-keeper, for six months following a derogatory comment she made about the Swedish squad after losing to them during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

Solo called her Swedish opponents “cowards” after they defeated the U.S. in Brazil. (The Swedes’ conservative, defensive mode of play ultimately led them to the silver medal against Germany.)

In announcing her suspension, U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati called the comments “unacceptable,” and added that they “do not meet the standard of conduct we require from our National Team players.”

Solo, for her part, refused to apologize, telling Sports Illustrated “I could not be the player I am without being the person I am, even when I haven’t made the best choices or said the right things.”

Solo, who helped the team win the 2014 World Cup and two Olympic golds, had been suspended once before and is fighting domestic violence charges. From the AP:

[In] a 2014 incident at her sister’s home…the goalkeeper was accused of being intoxicated and assaulting her sister and 17-year-old nephew. Solo said she was a victim in the altercation. Earlier this year, an appeals court in Washington state rejected Solo’s request to avoid trial.