Hope Solo settles grievance with U.S. Soccer Federation

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The U.S. Soccer Federation has reached a settlement with former goalkeeper Hope Solo, The Chronicle has learned.

The U.S. Women’s National Team players’ association filed a grievance on behalf of Solo, after she was suspended from the team more than a year ago and her contract was terminated. Last month, the two parties reached a settlement, avoiding arbitration.

In a statement to The Chronicle on Thursday, Solo, 36, said she and U.S. Soccer “have amicably resolved the matter and are moving forward in a positive way.”

The federation gave a statement to The Chronicle on Friday, echoing Solo’s words.

“Hope Solo has been a fierce competitor for the Women’s National Team,” the federation’s said. “She has set new standards for goalkeeping in the U.S. and around the world, and helped the U.S. women’s national team achieve its historic on field success. We have amicably resolved the matter and are moving forward in a positive way.”

Solo, a steady presence in goal for over a decade who holds multiple records for the American team, was suspended in August 2016 because of her comments following the team’s quarterfinal loss at the Rio Olympics. She called the Swedish team, which beat the Americans on penalty kicks, “a bunch of cowards,” due to their defensive play.

“I want to reiterate my regret for the comments I made after our loss to Sweden at the Rio Games,” Solo said in her statement. “As I expressed in my apology to the Swedish captain immediately following the match, I have tremendous respect for the Swedish team, and in describing the style of play, I used a choice of words that was both offensive and not at all what I had intended to convey.”

When Rich Nichols, the general counsel of the players’ association, announced his intention to file a grievance, he called Solo’s suspension “excessive, unprecedented, disproportionate and a violation of Ms. Solo’s First Amendment rights … She was fired for making comments that a man never would have been fired for.”

Solo had shoulder replacement surgery last fall and is still rehabilitating. But she has drawn interest from overseas teams, including Marseilles. In an interview with Associated Press in August, Solo expressed a desire to play professionally once she is fit, possibly overseas, and to play in the 2019 World Cup.

However, given her estrangement from U.S. Soccer the latter goal seems unlikely. The team continues to search for Solo’s replacement as it gears up for the next World Cup, which will be held in France in June 2019. Alyssa Naeher is 7-2 and Ashlyn Harris is 1-1 in goal in the past year.

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - AUGUST 12: Goalkeeper Hope Solo #1 of United States is seen before playing against Sweden during the Women's Football Quarterfinal match at Mane Garrincha Stadium on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 12, 2016 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Celso Junior/Getty Images) less BRASILIA, BRAZIL - AUGUST 12: Goalkeeper Hope Solo #1 of United States is seen before playing against Sweden during the Women's Football Quarterfinal match at Mane Garrincha Stadium on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 ... more Photo: Celso Junior, Getty Images Photo: Celso Junior, Getty Images Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Hope Solo settles grievance with U.S. Soccer Federation 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

During her 17-year career with the U.S. women’s team, Solo appeared in more than 200 games, set records for the most wins by a goalkeeper (152), the most shutouts (102) and recorded the longest undefeated streak (55) in team history. She was in goal for the 2015 World Cup championship, and the team’s gold medal runs in 2008 and 2012.

Ann Killion is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: akillion@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @annkillion