Should Hope Solo be Benched for Domestic Abuse Charges?

Recently retired U.S. national team goalkeeper Jillian Loyden wrote an op-ed for USA Today, calling for the benching of fellow keeper Hope Solo, as she awaits trial for domestic violence. Solo allegedly assaulted her sister and 17-year-old nephew earlier this year and is being charged with two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence.

The issue is a personal one for Loyden, who lost her sister, Britton, allegedly to domestic violence in 2012. In the aftermath of the Ray Rice scandal, Loyden points to the need for soccer, like all professional soccer leagues, to take a good look at disciplinary consequences for domestic abusers within the leagues.

Like Rice, Solo is one of the faces of her respective franchise. And like Rice, Solo is virtually invaluable to her team. But Loyden believes that her standing on the team pales in comparison to U.S. Soccer’s responsibility to send the right message. “Solo is my teammate and a personal mentor,” Loyden writes. “But I cannot stand by as young fans receive the message that this behavior — even if the allegations proved to be inaccurate — can go unnoticed.”

Solo is yet to respond to Loyden’s comments, but recently maintained her innocence on her Facebook page.  U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati previously affirmed Solo would be allowed to play as she awaits trial.