According to a report on TMZ, Hope Solo’s husband Jerramy Stevens was driving a U.S. Soccer team van (along with Hope) when he was arrested for a DUI Monday morning. The same report says that this was at least part of the reason Solo has been suspended from the team for 30 days.
Stevens, a former NFL tight end, was reportedly driving without his headlights on, according to the law enforcement source, when he was pulled over at 1:49 AM on January 19 in front of a Manhattan Beach hotel. According to the report Solo was acting belligerent in the car, even taking out her cell phone to record the event, and officers were tempted to ticket her for disorderly conduct. Apparently the duo also tried to play the “Don’t you know who we are?” card.
Regarding Solo, the cops even went so far as to ask hotel staffers to hold her in the lobby so she wouldn’t do anything stupid.
Stevens reportedly refused to submit to a breathalyzer test and was eventually arrested. Stevens was previously arrested in 2012 when he was booked for assault in a separate incident—allegedly also involving Solo—that occurred just before the couple was married.
For Solo, this incident comes just after a judge dismissed two misdemeanor counts of domestic violence against her stemming from an incident last year involving her sister and nephew.
This time U.S. Soccer had to take action though.
‘‘During our current national team camp, Hope made a poor decision that has resulted in a negative impact on U.S. Soccer and her teammates,’' U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis said in a statement. ‘‘We feel at this time it is best for her to step away from the team.’’
Because of the suspension, Solo has been released from training camp and will miss the matches in Europe on Feb. 8 in France and Feb. 13 in England.
“I accept and respect the Federation’s decision, and more importantly, I apologize for disappointing my teammates, coaches and the Federation who have always supported me,” Solo said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press on Wednesday night. “I think it’s best for me to take a break, decompress from the stress of the last several months, and come back mentally and physically ready to positively contribute to the team.”
Solo’s last appearance with the national team was in December, when the 33-year old started in a scoreless draw against Brazil in the championship game of the 2014 International Tournament of Brasilia.
Previously she had recorded her 72nd shutout last September in an exhibition win over Mexico, to pass Briana Scurry on the national team’s career list.
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