Hope Solo coming to Flathead Valley
United States women’s national soccer team goalkeeper Hope Solo will be in the Flathead Valley March 23-24 for a fundraiser benefiting the Flathead Rapids Soccer Club.
Solo, a two-time Olympic gold medalist with over 100 international caps, is one of the most recognizable figures in U.S. soccer. She currently plays for Seattle Reign FC of the newly-formed National Women’s Soccer League, which kicks off its inaugural season in April.
A welcome party will be held for Solo March 23 from 6-9 p.m. at Great Northern Bar in Whitefish. Tickets cost $50 per person. The event includes a live auction.
Solo will speak the following day in the Columbia Falls High School gym as a part of a presentation that begins at noon. Tickets are $15 per person or $30 per family.
Solo will sign autographs and pose for photos after the event, then she’ll host a goalkeeper clinic from 3-5 p.m. for 20 children ages 12-18. Tickets cost $50.
Tickets to all three events can only be purchased online at flatheadrapids.com/fundraiser. All goalies planning to attend the clinic must also download and complete a registration form.
Proceeds from the events will be used to purchase new equipment for the Flathead Rapids, a non-profit soccer club with over 800 players from ages 5-35.
“We’re using this as an opportunity to bring some funds in for our club and impact the kids’ lives,” said organizer O’Brien Byrd, who said the club needs to raise $45,000 to be operational this spring.
“She’s here because our organization needs money. We need money because we need to supply kids with uniforms and soccer balls and we need to replace rusty old goals.”
Byrd said the reactions he’s received have been overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s blowing everyone’s minds,” he said. “They read it and they just don’t believe it. High school girls are crying.
“They can’t believe the best female goalkeeper in the world will be here in a couple weeks. If you live in Denver or Seattle or L.A., it’s not as big of a deal because they have pro sports teams there and people make appearances all the time, but up here, nobody comes to Montana.”
Gina Brewer, women’s soccer coach at Hawaii Pacific University, will also speak at the event at Columbia Falls High School. She will discuss how to get recruited by college coaches and what today’s athletes need to think about as they progress through high school.