SNAPSHOT — HOPE SOLO
Date of Birth: July 30, 1981
Birthplace: Richland, Washington
Height: 5'9"
Occupation: Goalkeeper, U.S. Women's Olympic Team
HERS: Goalie is a high-pressure position. What attributes do you need mentally and physically to thrive in that spot?
HOPE SOLO: Patience, patience, patience. I learned a long time ago that a goalkeeper cannot win a game, they can only save it. Having to be on your toes and ready for 90 minutes, yet calm and composed as you let the play come to you, is a difficult skill. That's why many goalkeepers peak at a later age.
HERS: Which team presents the biggest challenge for you in Beijing? Why?
HS: I'd say Germany. They are tremendous on both sides of the ball. They are both physical and creative. I have so much respect for that team.
HERS: Goalies can hit the ground a lot during a game. Which body parts do you train specifically for impact with the ground?
HS: I have pretty strong shoulders, although I don't do much outside of goalkeeper training to strengthen them. Everyday throwing and diving does wonders to maintain the strength I need in the goal.
HERS: What is a typical training week like for you?
HS: It really depends if I'm with the Olympic team or not. When I am with the team we do a ton of on the field, position-specific work. That means lots of diving, and getting up and diving again for me. It's exhausting. However when we have time off, I focus more on plyometrics, footwork, speed, agility, and endurance. I'm able to work on specific footwork that actually allows me to dive.
HERS: What specific weight training exercises do you do?
HS: I'm a firm believer in bodyweight exercises and plyos. I lift weights, but minimally. I do a ton of pushups and sit-ups, both with stability balls. I also do pull-ups, lunge jumps, squat jumps, box jumps and jump rope work, which, surprisingly, really works my arms.
HERS: How do you stretch to prepare for the demands of goalkeeping?
HS: In the off-season training, I enjoy yoga. Prior to training and games, I don't stretch in excess. We like to call it dynamic stretching. I like to keep my muscles tight and springy for quickness.
HERS: What is your diet like? How are you maintaining it in China?
HS: It's definitely hard to maintain our diets when we're on the road so much, and especially in different countries. I find it even more difficult here in China. Fortunately we travel with a blender and still get to make our soy protein shakes. I take supplements throughout the year, but leading into a major event, I stick to multivitamins to get me through the tournament.
HERS: When you play a game in China against Brazil with a Swedish referee, what language does everyone use to communicate with?
HS: Who knows? I try not to have to speak to the ref! Actually, the Swedish referees definitely speak English. In fact, all FIFA sanctioned referees must know some English I believe, but signals work. There's really no need for words.
HERS: What are your expectations of the new women's professional soccer league starting in spring 2009? Do you have a team preference?
HS:I would love to stay on the West Coast. I think it's amazing we are making every effort to give girls a future and a dream, and at the same time growing this beautiful ancient sport in this young country.
Hope and the rest of the defending gold medal-winning U.S. women's soccer team open up play at the 2008 Olympic Games against Norway on August 6.
>> For more information on Hope Solo, visit the official site of USA Soccer at www.ussoccer.org.
>> For profiles on three more athletes heading to Beijing, pick up the July/August issue of Hers, on newsstands through August 11.
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