The Sounders Women have signed goalkeeper Hope Solo and forward Sydney Leroux, the team announced today.

Solo, 30, is the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Solo helped lead the women to the FIFA World Cup 2011 Final in Germany and was named the Golden Glove winner of that tournament. She was a member of the 2008 Women’s U.S. Olympic Team that won a gold medal in Beijing and an alternate on the 2004 team in Greece. A native of Richland, Washington, she played for the University of Washington and is a member of the Husky Hall of Fame. Solo is a four-time All-Pac-10 Selection.

“Hope is undoubtedly the best women’s keeper in the game today,” said Sounders General Manager Amy Carnell. “Her signing represents the caliber player Sounders Women’s fans can expect in 2012. As the landscape of women’s soccer continues to evolve, we realize the unique opportunity before us. The addition of Hope Solo and the WPS #1 Draft pick Sydney Leroux sets the tone for what we think will be a very special year for Sounders Women’s soccer.” 

Hope Solo is also well known for competing on ABC's Dancing with the Stars where she made the Final Four.  Solo was also recently included in Bloomberg Businessweek's Power 100 list of the most influential athletes. The list ranks athletes in both on-field and off-field qualities, including game statistics, endorsement dollars and social media presence. 

Sounders Women also added Sydney Leroux to their impressive roster. A prolific scorer with the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team, Leroux earned her first cap as a second-half substitute against Sweden in the Four Nations Tournament in Chingqong, China, on January 21, 2011. During Olympic Qualifying earlier this year, Leroux scored five goals in only her second cap. Leroux played four seasons for UCLA and was named to Soccer America’s MVP First Team in 2010 and 2011. She was born in British Columbia, Canada.

“Sydney is the consummate goal scorer with an incredible attacking attitude,” said Head Coach Michelle French. “She not only shows tireless effort on the offensive side of the ball, but she is very unique in that she prides herself on her defensive recovery and ability to win the ball back.  She makes an impact no matter where she plays on the field.”

Solo and Leroux will be available in conjunction with the Olympic Training Camp schedule as the U.S. Women’s National Team prepares for the 2012 Olympics in London.

The shocking suspension of the 2012 Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) season left professional women soccer players with a cloudy path.  Once less known leagues are gaining traction across America. The W-League is signing hugely popular talent and the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) launched the Elite League which includes two WPS teams, Boston Breakers and WNY Flash, as well as additional WPSL squads. 

Now the future is brightening for women's soccer and the 2012 season looks better than ever with more options and greater competition.  Fans should be ready to attend games and cheer for their favorite players and teams.