Hope Solo returns to U.S. team for Algarve Cup

• by Mike Woitalla  @MikeWoitalla, Feb 21, 2015

Goalkeeper Hope Solo has returned to the U.S. national team after serving U.S. Soccer's 30-day suspension and is on Coach Jill Ellis' 25-player roster for the Algarve Cup in Portugal next month.

U.S. Soccer announced that Solo has been reinstated "after a formal review." The 33-year-old Solo was suspended following her husband Jerramy Stevens’ arrest on DUI charges while driving the U.S. national team van with Solo as a passenger early in the morning during January’s Southern California camp. The incident came a week after Solo had domestic violence charges dropped by a Kirkland, Wash., court.

In Solo’s absence, Ashlyn Harris played in goal during a 2-0 loss at France and a 1-0 win at England earlier this month.

The U.S. roster for the March 4-11 Algarve Cup, a prestigious annual tournament, includes 22 of the 24 players that took part in February’s two-game Europe tour. The three additions are midfielder Megan Rapinoe and defender Christie Rampone, returning from injury, and Solo. Not returning are goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart and midfielder Tori Huster.

"The value of the Algarve Cup is of course great games against top teams in a tournament format without much rest," said Ellis in a press release. "In any year, this tournament presents great challenges, but as we continue to progress towards the World Cup, we want to get tested at the highest possible levels. Our opponents at this tournament give us another opportunity to gauge our depth and fitness."

The USA faces Norway (March 4), Switzerland (March 6) and Iceland (March 9) in Group B. The USA's first two games and its placement match on March 11 will be shown live on FOX Sports 1.

Six of the world's Top 10 teams are in this year's Algarve Cup. Group A is comprised of Germany, Brazil, Sweden and China; Group C of host Portugal, Japan, France and Denmark. The top two group winners face off in the final. The third-place game matches the third-best group winner against the best second-place team from the three groups.

The USA has won the Algarve Cup a record nine times, but last year’s seventh-place finish, its worst ever, led to the Ellis replacing Tom Sermanni at the U.S. helm.

U.S. Women's Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC).
DEFENDERS (10): Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Whitney Engen (Western NY Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Rachel Van Hollebeke (Portland Thorns FC).
MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars), Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Heather O'Reilly (FC Kansas City), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC).
FORWARDS (5): Sydney Leroux (Seattle Reign FC), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Abby Wambach (Western NY Flash).