SEATTLE — U.S. women’s soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo was arrested at a suburban Seattle home early Saturday on suspicion of assaulting her sister and 17-year-old nephew, but her attorney insisted that Solo herself was a victim in the altercation.
“Hope is not guilty of any crime,” attorney Todd Maybrown said in an email to The Associated Press. “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.”
Officers responded to her sister’s home just before 1 a.m. after receiving a 911 call that a woman at the Kirkland residence was hitting people and that she refused to stop or leave, the Kirkland Police Department said in a news release.
They found Solo intoxicated and upset, saw injuries on her nephew and her sister, and arrested her after speaking with those present and determining that she was the primary aggressor, the release said.
Solo was booked into jail for investigation of two counts of fourth-degree domestic violence assault, and she was expected to remain in custody until an appearance Monday at Kirkland Municipal Court.
The sister was not identified by police, but in her memoir, Solo writes that she has a half sister named Terry.
Solo, 32, has won two Olympic gold medals for the U.S. women’s national team. She also plays with the Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League.
“We are aware of the situation with Hope and are now gathering information,” the Reign posted on the team’s Twitter feed.
