Goalkeeper Hope Solo's participation at this summer's Women's World Cup has been thrown into doubt after she was suspended from the US national team for at least 30 days.
It means Solo, 33, one of the team's star names and an ever-present in the US run to the 2011 World Cup final, will miss the crucial tuneup matches at France and England.
The suspension comes two days after celebrity website TMZ revealed Solo was a passenger in the car when her husband, former NFL tight end Jerramy Stevens, was arrested for drink driving.
The report said Solo was "acting belligerent," pulled out her cell phone to record police officers' actions and was nearly arrested for disorderly conduct.
The US team's announcement merely said the suspension and Solo's release from training camp stemmed from an incident that took place during the team's ongoing camp in suburban Los Angeles.
Solo will be eligible for reinstatement to the team after the 30-day suspension, pending review and approval by US coach Jill Ellis and the US Soccer Federation.
"During our current national team camp, Hope made a poor decision that has resulted in a negative impact on US Soccer and her teammates," Ellis said. "We feel at this time it is best for her to step away from the team."
Solo, who played every minute of the Americans' run to 2012 London Olympic gold, will miss matches on February 8 against France and February 13 against England. They come at a critical time as Ellis ponders roster choices ahead of the World Cup in Canada starting June 6.
The Americans will open against Australia at Winnipeg on June 8 and face Sweden in Winnipeg on June 12 and Nigeria at Vancouver on June 16.
Solo won the Golden Glove as the top goalkeeper at the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany, where the US women lost to Japan in the final with Solo playing every minute for the Americans.
Source: AFP
