Hope Solo asserts her innocence in online post

By Anne D'Innocenzio, Associated Press

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014 | 10:27 p.m.

U.S. national team goalkeeper Hope Solo is again asserting her innocence in a domestic violence assault case that she faces in Washington state.

Solo posted a statement to on her official Facebook page on Tuesday evening. She says "once all the facts come to light and the legal process is concluded, I am confident that I will be fully exonerated."

Solo is charged with two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree domestic violence assault stemming from a June 21 altercation with her sister and 17-year-old nephew at a family gathering in Kirkland, Wash.

She has pleaded not guilty and the case is scheduled for trial on Nov. 4. She faces up to six months in jail if convicted.

The post was her second addressing the matter: She also apologized to her fans shortly after her arrest.

Solo, who has been with the national team since 2000 and recently set the team record for most career shutouts, continued to play for the United States in exhibition matches and with her National Women's Soccer League team, the Seattle Reign.

Her comments come a day after U.S. Soccer said it would stand by its decision to allow Solo to play while the legal process plays out.

"U.S. Soccer takes the issue of domestic violence very seriously. From the beginning, we considered the information available and have taken a deliberate and thoughtful approach regarding Hope Solo's status with the national team," U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said in a statement. "Based on that information, U.S. Soccer stands by our decision to allow her to participate with the team as the legal process unfolds. If new information becomes available we will carefully consider it."

Nike also said Tuesday it would continue its sponsorship deal with Solo.

"We are aware of the allegations and that Hope Solo has pleaded 'not guilty' to the charges. Hope remains a Nike athlete and we will continue to monitor the situation," the company said in a statement.

Solo is expected to start in goal for the U.S. women when the team plays next month in the CONCACAF championship, which will be played in four U.S. cities with the final scheduled for Oct. 26 at PPL Park in Pennsylvania. The event serves as a qualifying event for next summer's Women's World Cup in Canada.

In an exhibition match against Mexico in Sandy, Utah, earlier this month, Solo recorded her 72nd career shutout in an 8-0 U.S. victory. She passed Briana Scurry (1994-2008) on the career list.

Solo, 32, has played in 155 international matches and was with the U.S. team that won gold medals at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics.