Hope Solo has work to do during her suspension, U.S. Soccer says

U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said Monday that suspended goalkeeper Hope Solo has been asked to do “a number of things” during her 30-day absence from the women’s national team but declined to say whether enrollment in a rehab or counseling program was among them.

Solo was dismissed from the team’s training camp and sent home last week after her husband, former NFL player Jerramy Stevens, was arrested and charged with DUI while driving a U.S. Soccer van. Solo, a passenger in the van, was not cited, but she neglected to tell team officials about the incident, which happened at 1:32 in the morning.

Solo has a couple of run-ins with the law over the last three years and both involved alcohol. She also appeared on NBC’s “Today” show during the 2008 Olympics, later admitting that she was drunk at that time as well.

“There are a number of things that Hope is being asked to do in that 30 days,” Gulati said in a conference call. “And then we’ll evaluate where things stand at the end of that period and make a decision going forward.”

But Gulati and Coach Jill Ellis sidestepped questions about whether the team believes Solo has a problem with alcohol that might requirement treatment.

“Neither one of us denied or confirmed that,” Gulati said. “She’s been given time to deal with some issues. And we think that in this period she’ll certainly start that process. And we’ll evaluate.”

Solo will miss friendlies in France and England next month before she is eligible to request reinstatement. Her return in time for June’s World Cup in Canada is not guaranteed, Gulati and Ellis have said.

Asked whether there were circumstances under which Solo would not be allowed back on the team, Gulati was direct.

“Sure,” he said. “We’ve asked her to do a number of things. And she’s going to have to do some of those things and make progress in those areas.

“Look, that’s possible. We hope that’s not the case,” he said of a longer suspension. “We hope that she’s making progress and joins the team. That’s certainly the goal. Hers and ours.”

After leaving the team’s camp last week, Solo apologized though social media.

“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,” wrote Solo, who just a week earlier had two domestic violence charges against her dropped by a Washington judge. “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.”

Twitter: @kbaxter11