Ellis's silence keeps Solo's U.S. Soccer future beyond her ban on uncertain terms

The U.S. women's national team coach hasn't made a public comment since Solo's remarks about Sweden at the Olympics.

Grant Wahl | Aug 25, 2016

Ellis's silence keeps Solo's U.S. Soccer future beyond her ban on uncertain terms /

I want to know what Jill Ellis and Hope Solo think about Solo’s future with the U.S. women’s national team.

Do they think Solo, 35, has a shot at making the U.S. roster for the next meaningful competition, the 2019 World Cup, in three years? Or is Solo done for good with the national team?

Ellis, the World Cup-winning U.S. coach, has yet to say a word publicly about Solo in the 13 days since the U.S. goalkeeper called the Swedish team “cowards” after Sweden used a defense-minded strategy to eliminate the U.S. in the Olympic quarterfinals.

On Wednesday, U.S. Soccer suspended Solo for six months and told her it was terminating her contract in response to those comments and an accumulation of offenses over the years. But while Ellis and U.S. Soccer general secretary Dan Flynn traveled all the way to Seattle to deliver the news to Solo—Ellis lives in the Miami area—the U.S. coach’s words didn’t appear anywhere in U.S. Soccer’s press release announcing the suspension.

After stunning Olympic loss to Sweden, what comes next for USWNT?

Whatever you think about U.S. Soccer’s punishment—and I’ll get to my thoughts below—I want to hear from Ellis: As the U.S. coach with a long-term contract, does she think Solo potentially has a future with the U.S. team that could extend to the 2019 World Cup? Is Ellis waiting to see how Solo responds to this punishment before she decides? Or does the suspension make it a fait accompli that Solo is done for good internationally?

As the head coach and player selector, Ellis is the only person who can answer those questions, and we haven’t heard from her yet. And what about Solo? Does she still want to try to play in 2019, as she indicated at the start of the Olympics? If she doesn’t after the latest developments, her international career might be better off ending now anyway to give Ellis the time to groom a replacement goalkeeper. In her statement on Wednesday, Solo did speak in the past tense about her U.S. career, but she also said she had more to give.

For me, whether Solo has a future with the national team is more important than the suspension itself.

**********

At first, Solo's punishment comes off as harsh. A six-month suspension and a terminated national team contract for calling opponents “cowards”? But when you break it down, it’s not actually that harsh. The six-month suspension only applies to four, maybe six, meaningless U.S. friendlies. And while terminating Solo’s national team contract sounds severe, keep in mind two things: 1) U.S. Soccer is giving Solo three months severance, and 2) the contract for every U.S. national team player terminates on December 31 when the collective bargaining agreement ends.

That means Solo is essentially suspended without pay for three months—November 24 to February 24—from the national team. But she’s still allowed to play for and earn money from her club team, the NWSL’s Seattle Reign, during these six months. And if Ellis is interested and a new CBA is in place, Solo is still able to be offered a new contract with U.S. Soccer starting February 24. (One confusing aspect: U.S. Soccer pays Solo and other national team players for their NWSL play in addition to their national team play. While the national team part of Solo’s contract with U.S. Soccer has been terminated, the NWSL part has not.)

Alex Morgan: Solo suspension a 'bummer,' but I don't agree with Sweden comments

Rich Nichols, the U.S. women’s players union executive director, said Solo would appeal U.S. Soccer’s decision and that U.S. Soccer had violated Solo’s First Amendment rights. But the First Amendment doesn’t apply here, since the U.S. government isn’t involved.

Why couldn’t U.S. Soccer have simply suspended Solo for six months and left out the contract termination (which U.S. Soccer didn’t include in its press release Wednesday)? Beats me. This is speculation, but I do wonder if U.S. Soccer is trying to prevent Solo from having an outsized influence in the CBA negotiations that are soon to resume.

Solo is one of five U.S. players—along with Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Becky Sauerbrunn—on the wage-discrimination complaint filed against U.S. Soccer with the EEOC. And behind the scenes Solo has been more influential than any U.S. player in pushing to fight U.S. Soccer for equal pay with the U.S. men’s team. Still, Solo’s suspension and contract termination don’t necessarily prevent her from taking part in CBA talks.

GALLERY: U.S. Soccer in 2016

U.S. Soccer in 2016: USMNT and USWNT year in photos

Klinsmann fired, replaced by Arena

Jurgen Klinsmann was fired after the USA's World Cup qualifying loss in Costa Rica, bringing an end to more than five years in charge. He was replaced by Bruce Arena, who returns to the bench after coaching the USA from 1998-2006.

USMNT vs. Costa Rica, November 15

The dejected faces on Bobby Wood, left, and John Brooks say it all, as the U.S. drops to 0-2-0 in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Hexagonal following a 4-0 loss and embarrassment at Costa Rica.

USWNT vs. Romania, November 13

Morgan Brian gets a congratulatory hug after her converted penalty kick, which helped the U.S. women close out 2016 with a 5-0 rout of Romania at StubHub Center in Carson, California.

USMNT vs. Mexico, November 11

Mexico players celebrate Rafa Marquez's late winner, which delivered a 2-1 triumph for El Tri over the USA to open the CONCACAF Hexagonal. It ended years of U.S. domination over Mexico in Columbus.

USWNT vs. Romania, November 10

Crystal Dunn congratulates Christen Press on one of her three goals as the USA handled Romania with ease, winning 8-1 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California.

USWNT vs. Switzerland, October 23

Carli Lloyd gets a hearty welcome after scoring on a long-range blast to kick-start the U.S. in a 5-1 rout of Switzerland in Minneapolis.

USWNT vs. Switzerland, October 19

A new-look U.S. women's team routed Switzerland 4-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, with Samantha Mewis (3) at the center of the celebrations after scoring the final goal of four-goal second half.

USMNT vs. New Zealand, October 11

Julian Green is congratulated by captain Michael Bradley after scoring the opener, but the U.S. was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw vs. New Zealand in the last game before the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Hexagonal kicks off.

USMNT vs. Cuba, October 7

Chris Wondolowski scored a goal and assisted on another, as the USA continued World Cup qualifying preparations by beating Cuba 2-0 in a historic friendly in Havana.

USWNT vs. Netherlands, September 18

Carli Lloyd celebrates her goal that kicks off the scoring for the USA in a 3-1 win over the Netherlands at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

USWNT vs. Thailand, September 15

U.S. women's national team co-captain Carli Lloyd happily signs autographs after scoring a hat trick in a 9-0 romp over Thailand in Columbus, Ohio.

USWNT vs. Thailand, September 15

Megan Rapinoe kneels for the national anthem ahead of the U.S. women's national team's match vs. Thailand, continuing her public protest in line with that of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

USMNT vs. Trinidad & Tobago, September 6

Fabian Johnson, Christian Pulisic and Sacha Kljestan celebrate during a 4-0 win, which cemented the USA's place atop its World Cup qualifying group and a berth in the CONCACAF hexagonal.

Hope Solo's USWNT contract terminated

Following the USWNT's Olympic loss to Sweden, Hope Solo lashed out at the opposition, calling them "cowards" and drawing the ire of U.S. Soccer. The incident pushed the federation over the edge, and it terminated the goalkeeper's contract while suspending her six months–meaning any chance at reinstatement won't be possible until February.

USWNT vs. Sweden, August 12

The long and stunned faces say it all, as the U.S. women try to comprehend a penalty-kick loss to Sweden in the Olympic quarterfinals. The 4-3 PK defeat after a 1-1 draw marked the earliest ouster for the U.S. women in a major competition ever.

USWNT vs. Colombia, August 9

Hope Solo lets a Catalina Usme free kick slip through her hands and legs in a shocking 2-2 draw. The USA still won its Olympic group despite the slip-up.

USWNT vs. France, August 6

Carli Lloyd scores the only goal in a 1-0 win over a stout France side to punch the USA's ticket to the knockout stage at the Olympics.

USWNT vs. New Zealand, August 3

Carli Lloyd celebrates her goal in the USA's 2-0 win over New Zealand in their opening match of group play at the Olympics. Alex Morgan doubled the USA's lead in the second half.

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, July 22

Christen Press and Carli Lloyd celebrate an easy 4-0 win, which sent the U.S. on its way to Rio with an unbeaten record in 2016.

USWNT vs. South Africa, July 9

Hope Solo salutes the crowd after posting the 100th clean sheet of her career in a 1-0 win in Chicago. Crystal Dunn scored the lone goal.

USMNT vs. Colombia, June 25

For a second time at Copa America, the USA falls to Colombia, with Carlos Bacca's goal the difference in a 1-0 result in the third-place match in Arizona.

USMNT vs. Argentina, June 21

Lionel Messi converts an incredible free kick to punctuate a dominant performance for Argentina against the USA in the Copa America semifinals.

USMNT vs. Ecuador, June 16

Goal scorers Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes share a celebratory hug with Matt Besler in the Copa America quarterfinals, where the Americans held on for a 2-1 win and a place in the semis.

USMNT vs. Paraguay, June 11

Clint Dempsey celebrates his goal in a 1-0 win over Paraguay, which secured the USA's place in the Copa America knockout stage.

USMNT vs. Costa Rica, June 7

Bobby Wood caps a dominating first half for the USA in a must-win game vs. Costa Rica in Chicago at Copa America. Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones and Graham Zusi also scored.

USWNT vs. Japan, June 5

Co-captain Becky Sauerbrunn defends as the U.S. bounces back to shut out Japan 2-0 in a rain-shortened friendly in Cleveland.

USMNT vs. Colombia, June 3

James Rodriguez beats Brad Guzan from the penalty spot in Colombia's 2-0 win over the USA to open Copa America Centenario.

USWNT vs. Japan, June 2

Lindsey Horan heads the USA in front to cap a comeback from two goals down, but the Americans conceded in extra time to 10-woman Japan, settling for a 3-3 draw.

USMNT vs. Bolivia, May 29

Christian Pulisic scores his first international goal in the USA's 4-0 win over Bolivia in a final tune-up for Copa America. Gyasi Zardes scored twice, and John Brooks added one of his own in the triumph.

USMNT vs. Ecuador, May 25

Darlington Nagbe is hugged by Christian Pulisic after his 90th-minute volley delivers a 1-0 victory for the USA in a pre-Copa America friendly.

USMNT vs. Puerto Rico, May 22

Tim Ream scores the opening goal in the USA's 3-0 win over Puerto Rico in the first meeting between the two sides. Bobby Wood and Paul Arriola scored as well.

USWNT vs. Colombia, April 10

Julie Johnston, left, is mobbed after one of her two goals in a 3-0 USA win at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania.

USWNT vs. Colombia, April 6

Allie Long, left scores twice, and five other players score as well in a 7-0 rout of Colombia in East Hartford, Connecticut.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 29

Christian Pulisic, 17, makes his U.S. debut in a World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, becoming cap-tied to the USA. He was otherwise eligible for Croatia.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 29

Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore celebrate during a thorough 4-0 World Cup qualifying win, putting the USA's campaign back on track after the setback in Guatemala.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 25

There was no way through for DeAndre Yedlin and the USA during a 2-0 loss in Guatemala in what was a stunning setback in the Americans' World Cup qualifying campaign.

USWNT vs. Germany, March 9

The USWNT celebrates the inaugural SheBelieves Cup title after beating European powers England, France and Germany in succession.

USWNT vs. Germany, March 9

The U.S. celebrates Alex Morgan's equalizer vs. Germany in the SheBelieves Cup in Boca Raton, Florida. Samantha Mewis's winner a few minutes later cemented the Americans' overall triumph in the competition.

USWNT vs. France, March 6

Alex Morgan scores the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over France in the second game of the SheBelieves Cup in Nashville, Tennessee.

USWNT vs. England, March 3

Crystal Dunn is mobbed after her game-winning goal kicks off the SheBelieves Cup in a 1-0 triumph in Tampa Bay, Florida.

USWNT vs. Canada, February 21

Lindsey Horan celebrates her goal that helps the USA to a 2-0 win over Canada and a first-place finish in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying.

USWNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago, February 19

Alex Morgan celebrates one of her three goals that helped the U.S. clinch a berth in the 2016 Olympics after a 5-0 triumph in Houston.

USWNT vs. Puerto Rico, February 15

Crystal Dunn scores one of her five goals, tying a single-game U.S. record in a 10-0 rout to close group play in Olympic qualifying.

USWNT vs. Mexico, February 13

The U.S. needed a penalty kick from Carli Lloyd to beat Mexico 1-0 in the second match of CONCACAF's Olympic qualifying tournament.

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, February 10

Alex Morgan scores the fastest goal in U.S. history, netting 12 seconds into the USWNT's Olympic qualifying campaign and sending the Americans on their way to a 5-0 win.

USMNT vs. Canada, February 5

Jozy Altidore heads in the winner to secure a 1-0 win over Canada at StubHub Center to cap the annual winter training camp.

USMNT vs. Iceland, January 31

Steve Birnbaum heads in a late winner in a 3-2 victory over Iceland in the opening match of the year.

USWNT vs. Ireland, January 23

17-year-old Mallory Pugh scores on her debut, helping cap a 5-0 win for the USA to open the year. Carli Lloyd led the way with a hat trick, and Alex Morgan scored as well in San Diego.

For its part, U.S. Soccer has been adamant that its punishment for Solo isn’t just for the “cowards” comments but rather is for an accumulation of offenses over the years. (If, say, Mallory Pugh had called the Swedes cowards, she wouldn’t have been suspended for six months.) The federation specifically cited the one-month suspension Solo received early last year after she and her husband, Jerramy Stevens, were stopped by police in a U.S. team van in Los Angeles. Stevens, who was driving, was charged with DUI and spent three days in jail.

U.S. Soccer did not cite the still-open Seattle case involving a 2014 altercation between Solo, her nephew and her half-sister in which Solo was charged. The charge has been described in different ways, from a “fourth-degree misdemeanor” in which the facts were in dispute (used by U.S. Soccer in deciding not to suspend Solo at the time) to something allegedly more violent in a 2015 ESPN story.

What’s inescapable is that U.S. Soccer gave Solo shorter (or no) punishments when important World Cup games were near and a lengthier one this week when big games are much farther away.

Calling the Swedes “cowards” was a poor choice of words by Solo, who has not apologized, but I also thought about it more over the past two weeks. Would Manchester United manager José Mourinho have been vilified as much as Solo for saying the same thing? Not at all, which makes you think there’s some kind of double standard here, perhaps related to gender. Then again, has the U.S. women’s soccer team taken advantage of that double standard as well over the years, with part of their popularity coming from being known as a classy team and a breath of fresh air in the sports world?

Well, yes, that’s true too.

I also learned firsthand in Brazil how over-the-top the Internet Outrage Machine can really be. Solo tagged me on a Twitter post about the situation, and for the next four days my Twitter mentions were filled with angry and often obscene responses denouncing Solo in some of the most vile ways imaginable. It’s possible to think she made a mistake while also believing that the Internet response is completely out of proportion to what it should it be.

On the field, Solo had an up-and-down Olympics. She was fantastic against France and poor against Colombia. But she’s still the U.S.’s top goalkeeper, perhaps with less of a gap than before between her and the second-best. Will that be the case in 2019? And how does Jill Ellis balance that evaluation with the risk of more off-field controversy?

The decision on Solo’s national team future will come down to Ellis and to Solo herself. And we don’t know where they stand on that now.

Published Aug 25, 2016

GRANT WAHL

A leading soccer journalist and best-selling author, Grant Wahl has been with SI since 1996 and has penned more than three dozen cover stories.