Hope Solo believes suspension stems from role in equal pay fight

Hope Solo says her one-year suspension and termination of contract by U.S. soccer stems more from her stance toward equal pay than her controversial Olympic comments.

Hope Solo believes her six-month suspension and termination of contract by U.S. soccer stems more from her stance toward equal pay than her controversial Olympic comments.

In a new episode of the documentary Keeping Score, Solo speaks on camera immediately following her meeting with coach Jill Ellis and U.S. Soccer CEO Dan Flynn where she learned the news, but also speaks again later on with a more measured opinion. She says she thinks her role in the fight for equal pay for women’s soccer players had a role in her effective dismissal from the program.

“Literally 17 years on this team and then to be treated this way in the end is, (pause), not surprising from U.S. Soccer, to be honest,” she said. “... I feel like I’m being pushed out ‘cause it can’t be based off performance, my health. It can’t be based off anything but they don’t like me ... because they know I’ve been fighting so hard for equal pay.”

“They’re going to use my comments as an excuse to get rid of me forever so that they don’t have to deal with such a strong voice and opposition to field conditions and playing conditions and pay,” she added. “I think I’m just a thorn in their side and it’s time for them to cut their losses.”

Solo posted a clip from the documentary on Twitter in which she tries to clarify her comments on Sweden. It appears to be filmed shortly after the U.S. loss.

When I started #KeepingScore I never imagined it ending this way. Final episode @Fullscreen: https://t.co/Gqo8g8N3GC pic.twitter.com/IXzVvbOvlo

— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) September 2, 2016

Teammate Megan Rapinoe also says in a different interview on camera that she was unhappy with Solo’s suspension, citing a possible “legal strategy.”

The documentary is available here on streaming service Fullscreen.