VANCOUVER – Hope Solo will seek to put a difficult week behind her on Tuesday if, as expected, she equals the all-time United States record for most international appearances by a goalkeeper.
Solo, 33, endured a difficult week off the field as the World Cup got underway, as the subject of an ESPN Outside The Lines report regarding an alleged domestic violence incident from June 2014 that drew intense public scrutiny regarding her place on the team.
However, barring a late injury or mishap, the two-time Olympic gold medalist should start between the sticks for the U.S. as it bids to wrap up first place in Group D with a victory over Nigeria at BC Place.
If she does, it would be her 173rd cap, placing her level with national team legend Briana Scurry.
"I think it is great that we have this history in the U.S. of having great goalkeepers, first with Bri Scurry and now with Hope," said central defender Becky Sauerbrunn. "I think it is unbelievable that she has played at such a high level for so long so we are all really proud of her. Hopefully we will get her a shutout so it will be a nice one."
Solo has only conceded once during the tournament, when Lisa De Vanna equalized with a low left-foot strike 27 minutes into the team's opening match, a 3-1 win over Australia. Otherwise, she has barely put a foot wrong, although it did take a spectacular headed clearance from left back Meghan Klingenberg to preserve parity during Friday's 0-0 tie with Sweden.
Scurry was in goal when the U.S. famously beat China in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout to win the trophy in 1999 and was a stalwart of the team for more than a decade.
Solo has been the incumbent since 2008 but despite two triumphant Olympic campaigns has had mixed experiences with the World Cup. In 2007, she was sent home from the tournament after speaking out angrily in the aftermath of the team's semifinal defeat to Brazil, for which she had been dropped in favor of Scurry by then-coach Greg Ryan.
Four years ago, Solo was voted as the third-best player in the event but was frustrated in the final, with Japan winning on penalty kicks after twice coming from behind to level scores at 2-2.
But despite the potential off-field distractions, Solo seems to be in some of the best form of her life and is at an age where goalkeepers are often just starting to hit their peak.
"You don't get to be a certain age without having knocks," Sauerbrunn said. "Everyone plays with something when you get older but she has taken care of herself really well and I haven't seen her more focused and more ready to play than she is right now."
