Why USWNT legend Hope Solo is ending nine-year exile at TST 2025 - with iconic goalkeeper returning from soccer wilderness at the age of 43

The iconic goalkeeper, who won 202 caps for the United States and helped them to World Cup glory in 2015, hung up her boots and gloves following a quarter-final defeat at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Having made plenty of headlines on and off the field, Solo has spent much of the last decade out of the limelight. It has, however, been confirmed that she will be taking part at the 48-team TST spectacle this summer - which offers a $1 million prize to the winners of men’s and women’s events.

Explaining why she will be joining the likes of Carli Lloyd, Heather O'Reilly and Ali Krieger, Nani and Sergio Aguero at TST, Solo told FIFA’s official website: “This is an opportunity to participate in a fantastic event in the United States... but honestly never considered this a comeback.

“I want to present myself well. I want to be competitive and help my team win. I am 43 and have been out of the game for close to 10 years but... this has inspired me to get in shape not only physically but mentally and spiritually as well.

“It's allowed my family to bond in a way we have never done before — my children are five and have never seen me play soccer. We have been out on the soccer fields and my daughter has put the gloves on. The reason why I agreed to do it is because it's about me running a team and continuing the fight for diversity and equality. It was hard to turn down.”

Quizzed on whether she could seek a more long-term return to soccer circles on the back of gracing TST, Solo added: “I've always looked to get back into the soccer industry and the opportunity had to be right. With the legal battles I've had... and with my own setbacks and struggles personally, it's taken some time to figure out what direction to take and where to go.

“I've put my heart and soul into the game, I always have, and I've been looking for the right opportunity to give back to the game. I'm looking for something to inspire and TST does that with players from around the world. The players I've chosen are looking to be seen and it's an opportunity I can give to players who you wouldn't normally see at TST.”

Solo FC will be bringing together legends and young stars from across the globe, with the team placing special focus on “giving opportunities to players from underrepresented communities”. The seven-a-side TST event will run between June 4-9 in Cary, North Carolina.