Hope Solo a ‘Victim,’ Says Attorney

Hope Solo is not having a good weekend. The gold-medal-winning goalie of the United States Women’s Soccer Team and one of the preeminent faces of U.S. Women’s soccer, was arrested early Saturday morning after an altercation at her sister’s home in Kirkland, Washington. Solo was arrested for allegedly assaulting her sister and her 17-year old nephew after a verbal altercation turned physical.

Attorneys for Solo contend that the soccer star was only defending herself and that she is the victim in this case. In a email to The Associated Press, Solo’s legal advisor, Todd Maybrown, explains what happened that night in the Seattle suburb.

“Hope is not guilty of any crime. In fact, our investigation reveals that Hope was assaulted and injured during this unfortunate incident. We look forward to the opportunity to present the true facts in court and to having this matter behind Hope very soon.”

The 32-year old Solo is being charged with two counts of fourth degree domestic assault and has been denied bail. She is currently being held at the South King County jail. She is scheduled to appear before a judge on June 23.

This is not the first time that Hope Solo has had run-ins with the law. In November of 2012, police were called to a party where Solo had been assaulted by her then boyfriend, ex-Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens. Stevens was arrested and released pending the investigation. The charges were eventually dropped and the two were married the next day.

Hope Solo is the goalie for the Seattle Reign FC, and is highly decorated in her career in women’s soccer. She won Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, and was a member of the U.S. team that won the 2006 World Cup. Solo was named U.S. Soccer female athlete of the year in 2009. Solo was also a cast member of TVs Dancing With the Stars in the fall of 2011.

The Seattle Reign FC addressed the incident via their twitter account.

“We are aware of the situation with Hope and are now gathering information. We do not have any additional information to share at this time.”

Likewise, the U.S. Women’s national Team has also publicly addressed Solo’s involvement.

“We are aware of the situation. At this point, we don’t have any further comments,” U.S. Soccer spokesman Neil Buethe told FOXSoccer.com on Saturday

Solo’s arrest comes with U.S. Soccer fever at an all-time high during the men’s World Cup tournament in Brazil, with the U.S. Men’s Team preparing to play their second game against Portugal.