Hope Solo Breaks Soccer Record For Most Goal Shutouts

The U.S. women’s national soccer goalie, Hope Solo, broke the record for most shutouts last night, as reported by The Associated Press via USA Today. Her 72nd record-breaking shutout for the national team came towards the end of an 8-0 game against Mexico at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah. The game marked Solo’s 154th international match.

Fans began chanting Hope’s name as the crowd realized history was about to be made.

“It’s been a long journey. A lot of tears, a lot of blood, a lot of sweat. Some heartaches, Some incredible moments,” Solo told the AP. “It’s crazy to think it’s been close to 15 years.”

There was some expectation that the record might be broken last night. While talking with FOX Sports before the game, Hope admitted breaking the record was important to her. However, toward the end of the game, she expressed a sense of wanting to get it over with.

“I knew in good time it would come,” Solo said. “So there wasn’t too much pressure until the final minutes of the game, when I started thinking, ‘Oh no, there’s a corner. Oh no, there’s a free kick. Let’s just get the shutout record and be done with it.'”

Setting the new record, and with an all-time wins record on the horizon, is defining Hope Solo as the best goalkeeper in American women’s soccer history.

The soccer shutout record was previously held by Briana Scurry, who played on the U.S. national women’s soccer team from 1994 to 2008. Scurry currently holds the all-time wins record at 133. In another 16 victories, Solo will break that record as well.

The historical moment is somewhat shadowed by controversy. In July, Hope Solo was arrested on two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence following the alleged assault of her sister and nephew. She pleaded not guilty, and will face trial on November 4 in Seattle, a week after the Women’s World Cup qualifiers. If found guilty, Solo could face up to six months in jail.

Considered one of the top soccer goalkeepers in the world, Hope is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics). She also played for the United States in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and won the Golden Glove Award for best goalkeeper and Bronze Ball Award for performance at the 2011 Women’s World Cup. One of the national team’s star players, Hope has appeared on Dancing with the Stars and been the cover feature in issues of Vogue, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated.

[Image source: Newsweek]