U.S. WOMEN ABROAD (May 28-31): Solo sideined for Swedish showdown

• by Soccer America , May 31, 2004

Goalkeeper Hope Solo, on a two-week trial at the U.S. womenÆs national teamÆs Olympic Residency in Southern California, will miss Kopparbergs/GoteborgÆs vital Memorial Day clash with Malmo FF.

Solo, a former University of Washington All-American who played last season for the WUSAÆs Philadelphia Charge, has five shutouts in six Swedish League matches to lead surprising K/Goteborg (4-1-1) into third place, five points behind European champion Umea IK (6-0-0) and three behind defending Damallsvenskan champion Djurgarden/Alvsjo (5-0-1).

Fourth-place Malmo (3-1-2) is coming off a 1-1 tie Tuesday against Djurgarden/Alvsjo, forged on former Rutgers University defender Denise ReddyÆs 47th-minute equalizer.

A victory, for K/Goteborg or Malmo, may be essential to remain in striking distance of the leaders. Umea is home Monday against Linkopings FC (3-2-1), and Djurgarden/Alvsjo -- with former Carolina Courage midfielder Venus James, who has scored goals in her first two Damallsvenskan matches -- plays at last-place Stattena IF (0-5-1).

FFC Turbine Potsdam (16-1-1), fresh off SaturdayÆs triumph in the German WomenÆs Cup final, plays at last-place Saarbruecken (0-18-1) on Monday. Turbine, with former Atlanta Beat defenders Nancy and Julie Augustyniak, is seven points behind FFC Frankfurt but will claim the Frauen-Bundesliga title if it wins its final four matches.

FFC Frankfurt (18-0-2) is home against Bayern Munich (9-8-2) on Wednesday. Turbine plays at FSV Frankfurt (6-11-3) on Thursday.

In the only game Sunday involving an American, FinlandÆs FC Honka (0-1-3) rallied for a 2-2 tie at SCR. Former Duqesne University defender Becky Barritt played 90 minutes. Essa SainioÆs 70th-minute goal pulled Honka even.

FINLAND
* Becky Barritt (FC Honka, D1), at SCR, 2-2 (Sunday).
90 minutes.
Season league stats: 2 games, 0 goals.

GERMANY
* Julie Augustyniak (FFC Turbine Potsdam, D1), at FC Saarbruecken, Monday.
Season league stats: 5 games, 1 goal.

* Nancy Augustyniak (FFC Turbine Potsdam, D1), at FC Saarbruecken, Monday.
Season league stats: 8 games, 0 goals.

* Dianne Garza (SC 07 Bad Neuenahr, D1), at FCR 2001 Duisburg, Monday.
Season league stats: 0 games, 0 goals.

RUSSIA
* Jenny Benson (FC Energy Voronezh, D1), at Nadejda, 1-1 (Friday).
90 minutes.
Season league stats: 3 games, 0 goals.

SWEDEN
* Venus James (Djurgarden/Alvsjo, Damallsvenskan), at Stattena IF, Monday.
Season league stats: 2 games, 2 goals.

* Denise Reddy (Malmo FF, Damallsvenskan), at Kopparbergs/Goteborg, Monday.
Season league stats: 6 games, 1 goal.

* Hope Solo (Kopparbergs/Goteborg, Damallsvenskan), vs. Malmo FF, Monday.
Season league stats: 6 games, 0 goals.