Hope Solo

How did you wind up being a goalkeeper?

I was just a good all around athlete whether it was basketball or obviously being a field player. Back in the day I was a pretty good gymnast. When I actually had to make the conversion to jump into the goal, it was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my career. It was a different mindset. I went from being involved in every play and having a winning mentality to sitting back and having more of a ‘I can’t win the game but I can save the game’ mentality. That was a very, very, very hard transition. It took me years to really respect the position and find a passion in it.

How did it happen?

I guess way back when, our goalkeeper went down injured and all us excited little kids raised our hands and I decided to go in the goal - more joking around - but it turned out I was fearless and good. So I knew I could make the state team as a goalkeeper and it kind of started there. I never was serious about it. I still played on the state team on the field.

What helped you make the transition?

The transition came because I think back at the time, several years ago, there was an awful stereotype that the one in the goal was the one who wasn’t good with the ball at their feet. It was the one that maybe wasn’t able to run the field as much and to be honest, I had a hard time accepting that stereotype of goalkeepers. But in my head I also knew that goalkeepers need to be the athletic ones. They have to have fast footwork and they do have to be in shape. At that point I knew that being a very athletic goalkeeper could get me as far as I wanted to go, probably further than being on the field. So, I made that decision for my career and I didn’t really know what that entailed at the time.

When in your career did you make that decision?

I didn’t go full time until college. My hometown never saw me play goalkeeper. My family would come out for my college games and basically watch me at times never even touch the ball. I’d talk to them after the game and nobody wanted to accept that I was now a goalkeeper. They’d be like “Hope, you should be out on the field scoring goals.” So, it was really hard. Not even my family could accept it.

How did you make your peace with it?

It took years. My college coaches had a big impact in helping me with that, but honestly I think it came with time and just learning more about the position. I gained a lot of respect for the position. I didn’t know everything that it entailed. I didn’t know how difficult it was. I didn’t know that every second you had to be mentally engaged as well as physically engaged. I didn’t know about angle play and footwork and how every inch and centimeter matters. I take pride in that and it just really changed my perspective and I found passion in it. I think it just took time. I was ignorant at one point about the position.

How is your training different from field players?

Obviously it’s a lot more plyometrics. It’s a lot of diving and getting up and diving and getting up which a lot of times people don’t realize is just as taxing on your legs and on your body. You still have to be fit. I like to compare it to more of wrestler type fitness not necessarily aerobic type fitness. It’s definitely a fitness that we have to have. More endurance. The game has evolved to this day where we have to be good with our foot skills. We need to have quick feet just like a field player. There are times at training where we still jump on the field with the team.

What qualities do you think all great goal keepers possess?

The number one thing that I think a goal keeper should have and should always work on is their footwork. A lot of people think that having good hands is the key but really your feet are what make you cover the entire goal. Mentally, every great goalkeeper has courage.

Do you have any pre-game rituals that help you to focus?

I used to be pretty superstitious and I guess I kind of grew out of it. The only thing I really do now is make sure that I wear a hat on the bus ride on the way to the game. My warm up I always cut short so that I can go relax right before we go out onto the field.

What do you do to calm your nerves after you’ve been scored on?

It really is just sucking it up mentally and it’s gotten easier as I’ve gotten older. When I get scored on, I pick up a handful of grass, I throw it as hard as I can and I let all my frustrations out with that and then I just take a deep breath and settle back into the game and know that I have to be just as prepared as I was five minutes before.

Do you ever get mad at your teammates when they make a mistake that causes you to get scored on?

That’s a good question. I don’t get mad at my teammates when they mess up or an individual messes up because that’s just part of the game. They do it. We all do it. I do, however, get the most upset when I can tell that we’re not mentally engaged. What I mean is maybe we’re not thinking to shift early enough and we’re reacting instead of preparing. That’s really when I lay on my defenders. It’s my job to make sure that everyone is in place early and where they need to be and when I sense a let down is when I really get on them.

How are you developing as far as your vocal leadership and organizing the defense?

Still learning.

How are you feeling about the backline?

We have what, seven defenders who on any given day can step in and keep the level of play high? We all know our role. You know most high caliber teams have four defenders and they don’t really sub them in and out, but I’m confident and comfortable with any six or seven. And Kate Sobrero has been out. She’ll be back in the mix soon.

Losing Shannon Boxx for qualifying is a tough blow. How are you guys handling that?

I think I was handling it worse that she was. She’s got a really good head on her shoulders. She’s strong. She’s focused and right now she’s probably in the training room working just as hard if not harder than the rest of us.

What was the experience of ODP (Olympic Development Program) like for you?

I probably wasn’t as dedicated to ODP as I should have been. At the time I played a lot of different sports. I loved basketball and ODP interfered with some of my other interests. But at that time the state of Washington had two teams, an eastern and a western ODP team so luckily we didn’t have to travel too much.

You make an interesting point about playing other sports and having other interests. Do you have any advice to young players about keeping balance in their life?

I’ve always found ‘balance’ to be one of the key components to keep me playing at my best level. When I’m in over my head with the game, sometimes I tend to get over-strung and maybe crash and get burnt out. For me, I’m very committed every single day to the game and my love for it is still there but I think it’s still there because I know when to step away. I know when to back off, whether it’s to go spend quality time with my family or whether it’s just to get away for the weekend and go boating. There are times when you have to step away. You just come back to it extra sharp.

What other activities do you engage in now when you’re not playing soccer?

I love beach volleyball. I love any type of boating sport. In the winter I love to snowboard. I like to be pretty active. Traveling, not necessarily with the team, but traveling for fun.

What are some of the favorite places that you’ve been?

I love Thailand. Italy is my favorite country that I’ve visited. I think my dream place to travel to would be Africa.

How confident are you that you will find yourself in China with the team when the World Cup rolls around next year?

Gosh, that’s way too far into the future. Anything can happen. My job is to focus day by day and game by game. That’s the only thing that keeps me playing at my peak

Are you having fun?

(Laughs.) I’m having fun. A lot of fun.

Have you ever had any major injuries?

Knicks and knacks. I’ve been blessed. Hopefully my body continues to stay healthy.

Do you have any goalkeeper role models? Who did you look to when you were coming up as someone to emulate?

I really didn’t. First of all I wasn’t a goalkeeper until my later years but there have been a lot of people along the way who have really helped me to grow to love my position.

Do you find it more comfortable diving to one side over the other? You don’t have to say which in case there are any sneaky strikers reading this!

Yes I do for some reason and it is my left.

How do you identify and improve on those kind of weaknesses?

Oh my goodness. I have several bad days of practice but I keep trudging through them and eventually I improve.

Do your hands get smelly and sweaty wearing gloves so much?

It’s not too much of a problem these days with wonderful Nike, we switch gloves in and out all the time.

What have you learned most from training with Bri and Branum?

We all have individual strengths and weaknesses. Bri, everyday I take her mentality and her strength and her mindset and I try to be more like her in that sense. Branum, her bravery, I try to implement into my game.

Do you get sick of the puns journalist come up with related to your name?

(Laughs.) Han Solo?

Do you have a particular favorite?

No I don’t. I always liked the “Flying Solo” because of the goal keeper – flying alone.

Who has the hardest shot on the National Team?

Hmmmm. Now that Shannon MacMillan is not around, I’m not sure. Tasha Kai has a crazy, powerful shot and Abby, of course, but I think I’m going to go with Catherine Reddick. Have to go with my defenders.

What striker do you like playing against least in practice?

HAO, Heather O’Reilly, gets pretty tricky with the ball.

Internationally?

I think it’s got to be {Marinette] Pichon of France. [Formerly with the Philadelphia Charge and NJ Wildcats]

How far can you throw the ball down the field?

Maybe about 50 yards?

What’s the best advice you can offer a young goalkeeper?

Keep working on your foot skills. That’s one of the most important things in the game. I’m not only talking about with the ball, I’m talking about quick feet and foot work. People think it’s all in the hands but you’ve got to get to the ball.

Either/Ors

Catch or Punch? Catch.

Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp? Johnny Depp! (Laughs.) He’s my all time favorite!
Football or basketball? Basketball.
Coke or Pepsi? I don’t drink soda.
A little known fact (or four!): Kicks as far with her left foot as she does with her right. Can sail a boat. Is a country girl. Loves to hunt and fish.