U.S. WOMEN ABROAD (July 29-Aug. 1): Hope Solo an MVP finalist in Sweden

• by Soccer America , Jul 30, 2004

Goalkeeper Hope Solo, who has posted seven shutouts in 13 appearances with Kopparbergs/Goteborg, was named one of three MVP finalists Thursday in the Swedish Damallsvenskan.

Umea IK midfielder Malin Mostrom and Djurgarden/Alvsjo forward Kristin Bengtsson are the other finalists.

K/Goteborg (6-5-3) is in fifth place primarily because of Solo, who joined the Swedish club following her rookie season last year with the WUSA's Philadelphia Charge. The former University of Washington All-American will be the U.S. Olympic team's alternate goalkeeper at next month's Athens Games.

Umea (13-1-0), which has won the past two European titles, holds a one-point lead on defending Swedish champion Djurgarden/Alvsjo after 14 of 22 matches. League play resumes on Sept. 4.

Bengtsson has scored eight goals this season, and Mostrom has seven.

RUSSIA
* Jenny Benson (FC Energy Voronezh, D1), vs. CSK WWS, NA (Thursday).
Details unavailable.
vs. Lada, Sunday.
Season league stats: 10 games, 1 goal.