American · Richland, Washington, USA · Born 30 July 1981American goalkeeper and two-time Olympic gold medallist who won the Golden Glove at back-to-back FIFA Women's World Cups
Hope Amelia Solo was born on 30 July 1981 in Richland, Washington. Her parents divorced when she was six, and she was raised primarily by her mother, though she reconnected with her father during her college years and remained close to him until his death from a heart attack in June 2007. As a forward at Richland High School, she scored 109 goals and led her team to three consecutive league titles before a state championship in her senior year, earning two Parade All-American selections. Solo attended the University of Washington, where she was converted to goalkeeper, and went on to become one of the most accomplished and outspoken goalkeepers in the history of women's soccer. She played professionally for clubs in the United States, Sweden, and France before becoming the U.S. women's national team's first-choice goalkeeper for over a decade. Solo helped the United States win Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012 and reach the final of the 2011 World Cup, and was named the Golden Glove winner as the best goalkeeper at the 2015 World Cup, which the U.S. won. She earned the Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper distinction and was widely regarded as the finest goalkeeper of her generation in the women's game. Solo's outspoken nature occasionally created controversy, including public criticism of teammates and coaching decisions, and her international career ended in 2016 following a suspension after comments made about the Swedish team at the Rio Olympics. She retired having earned 202 caps for the United States, and has remained a prominent, if polarising, voice in American soccer.
Winning the Golden Glove at consecutive FIFA Women's World Cups and two Olympic gold medals
How They Played
Commanding, athletic shot-stopper with excellent reflexes and a fiercely competitive presence between the posts
Lasting Impact
One of the most decorated and influential goalkeepers in the history of the women's game, holding the US record for clean sheets and appearances
Career Honours
- FIFA Women's World Cup 2015
- Olympic Gold 2008
- Olympic Gold 2012
- FIFA World Cup Golden Glove 2011
- FIFA World Cup Golden Glove 2015
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Charge | 2003–2003 | 8 | 0 |
| Kopparbergs/Göteborg | 2004–2004 | 19 | 0 |
| Lyon | 2005–2005 | 7 | 0 |
| Saint Louis Athletica | 2009–2010 | 23 | 0 |
| Atlanta Beat | 2010–2010 | 16 | 0 |
| magicJack | 2011–2011 | 4 | 0 |
| Seattle Sounders Women | 2012–2012 | 3 | 0 |
| Seattle Reign | 2013–2016 | 54 | 0 |
 USA | — | 202 | — |
American Athletes