Hope Solo‘s much-anticipated autobiography, “SOLO: A Memoir of Hope,” will be published on Tuesday, but it would already be in readers’ hands if Solo had her way.
U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team head coach Pia Sundhage threatened to exclude the standout goalkeeper from the 2012 Summer Olympic games if she published the book before the end of the competition, according to ESPN.
“As part of the book’s release, Solo also authored a diary from the 2012 Olympics, which will be available as part of the E-book,” ESPN reports. “In it, she writes about how U.S. coach Pia Sundhage asked her to delay publication of the book, threatening her with not playing in the Olympics if the book came out prior to the Games.”
The U.S. Women won their third straight gold medal last week, beating Japan 2-1 in the final. Solo made a number of saves in the decisive game, which prevented Japan from tying the score.
The 31-year-old Solo performed at a high level on the field, while making waves off it. Her public fued with television analyst Brandi Chastain threatened to overshadow the group effort, but Americans kept their focus and prevailed in the end.
It’s likely that Sundhage was concerned that Solo’s book would contain sensitive content about the team and some of its players. It could detract from the sense of unity and purpose with which the team approached the Olympics and lessen the chances of winning gold.
This latest twist in Solo’s tale makes it all the more interesting. She tested positive for a banned substance in early July, netting her a public warning from the USADA. But the veteran goalkeeper was able to participate in the Olympic women’s soccer tournament, and her team was better off for it.
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Photo via Twitter/@mackenzielawre1
