Richland not hearing back from World Cup star Hope Solo

Richland might want to pay tribute to Hope Solo, a Richland native who led the United States to victory as goalkeeper on the 2015 Women’s World Cup winning soccer team. But whether she wants to take part is another story.

The city has tried contacting Solo’s representatives about participating in an event, said City Manager Cindy Reents.

“We have not been very successful in getting a response back,” she said.

Councilman Brad Anderson asked at this week’s council meeting about the progress of honoring Solo in some way. He was impressed after seeing Solo presented with a golden scarf before Sunday’s Seattle Sounders-Portland Timbers Major League Soccer match, attended by more than 64,000 in Seattle.

“It got me thinking, I was looking right there, about 15 rows up and there she is — a Richland Bomber,” he said. “It got me curious if we’ve gotten anywhere with doing something, even if it’s very tiny, for the best goalkeeper in women’s football.”

Reents also contacted the Richland School District, but said she was unclear on what the council wanted done.

“You’ve given me no options on what you want me to do, or how you would want to pay for that,” she said.

Reents said she spoke with a man who wanted the city to organize a parade and suggested he put together a grassroots celebration with area soccer clubs or schools.

After hearing the initial efforts, Anderson said Reents has done enough for now. “Just explore any options,” he said.

School district spokesman Steve Aagaard had said the district would likely wait until after school started before making any decisions on recognizing Solo. He said Wednesday he was not aware of anything currently being planned.

Mayor David Rose questioned in July whether it would be appropriate to honor Solo because of her past legal troubles.

She was suspended from the team for a month after her husband, former Seattle Seahawks player was arrested and charged with DUI while driving a team van. Solo also was in the van.

Solo had previously been arrested in connection with an altercation at her half-sister’s house, but charges were later dropped.

But Councilman Terry Christensen later said that a Hope Solo Day could bring in people from across the Northwest, adding that she should be honored because she is “one of our own.”

Reents pointed out that Richland had a Hope Solo Day in 2008 after she won an Olympic gold medal in Beijing.

Solo’s publicist and representatives from Seattle Reign FC, her professional team, also did not return messages Wednesday about the issue.

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 11:44 AM with the headline "Richland not hearing back from World Cup star Hope Solo."