Former United States Women’s National Team goalie Hope Solo was arrested Thursday in Winston-Salem, N.C. on charges that included driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and misdemeanor child abuse, according to a report by TMZ Sports. Police said the two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion’s two children were in a car with her when she was taken into custody in the parking lot of a local Walmart.
On Friday morning, counsel for Solo offered a public statement on the situation, alleging that she is now out of police custody and claiming that the circumstances of her arrest were not as they seemed.
“On the advice of counsel, Hope can’t speak about this situation, but she wants everyone to know that her kids are her life, that she was released immediately and is now at home with her family, that the story is more sympathetic than the initial charges suggest, and that she looks forward to her opportunity to defend these charges,” read a statement by Rich Nichols, counsel for Solo.
Solo, whose 16-year career on the U.S. Women’s National Team is among the most decorated in the history of American soccer, has a history of legal troubles. In 2014, Solo was arrested on domestic violence charges after attacking her sister and nephew in a household incident, though charges were later dropped.
