Suspended U.S. national team goalkeeper Hope Solo says she has had shoulder replacement surgery.
Solo posted post-surgery photos of herself on her social media accounts Wednesday. She had the procedure at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle on Monday.
On the posts, she said he had been dealing with a right shoulder injury for “a long time.”
“I’ve got a brand new shoulder (read: bionic) and for the first time in years, I can raise my right arm above my head. I’m filled with excitement knowing how life-changing this is and I look forward to coming back healthier and stronger than ever,” she wrote.
Solo had surgery on the same shoulder in 2011.
Solo was suspended for six months and her contract with U.S. Soccer was terminated last month following the Rio Olympics, where she drew criticism for calling the Sweden national team a “bunch of cowards” for their defensive style of play. The United States was eliminated by Sweden on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals.
U.S. soccer said the suspension was the result of several missteps.
Solo was also suspended in early 2015 for 30 days after husband Jerramy Stevens was pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence in a U.S. Soccer team van while the team was at a Southern California training camp. Solo was with him at the time. The former Seattle Seahawks tight end later pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and four years of probation.
Solo also faces the possibility of a trial on misdemeanor domestic violence charges after a 2014 incident at her sister’s home, when she was accused of being intoxicated and assaulting her sister and 17-year-old nephew. Solo said she was a victim in the altercation.
On the field, Solo had remained a star. She became the first goalkeeper with 100 international shutouts just before the Olympics when the United States defeated South Africa 1-0 in Chicago. The 35-year-old currently has 153 career victories and 102 clean sheets.
Solo won’t be eligible for selection to the national team again until February.
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