Hope Solo, left, and Jillian Loyden (Getty Images)
In a guest column for USA Today Sports, substitute goalkeeper Jillian Loyden wrote about her own experience with domestic violence and asked U.S. Soccer to respond to Solo’s alleged misdeeds and the pall they have cast on the sport.
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Speaking out on these issues is not always easy. Solo is my teammate and a personal mentor. 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.
A couple weeks ago, Hope broke an international record with an incredible 73 shutouts. But instead of celebrating the new record, the league should endeavor to post a shutout on domestic violence. Our league can no longer turn a blind eye to the allegations that Solo assaulted two family members.
In addition to fellow stars Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux, Tobin Heath and Abby Wambach, Solo is one of the most recognizable faces in American women’s soccer.
Loyden is the first athlete from the USWNT program to publicly ask for action against Solo before her November trial.
The Sky Blue FC goalkeeper also runs her own foundation, which she started in honor of her sister Britton Loyden, who died as a result of domestic violence in 2012.
