Former U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Hope Solo will lead Solo FC at The Soccer Tournament (TST), scheduled from June 4 to 9 in Cary, N.C. This tournament is a winner-takes-all event featuring retired players.

Solo’s participation marks her return to the game for the first time since 2016 when her national career concluded after a quarterfinal exit to Sweden at the 2016 Olympics. She will also serve as the general manager for the team and intends to recruit a diverse group of players to represent different cultures of soccer.

She aims to create a global team that highlights lesser-known talents, stating, _“What I’m trying to do is bring together this worldwide, global team that shows the world that there are all these other diamonds in the rough.”

Solo earned a total of 202 caps during her 16-year career with the national team. Despite her success, including a World Cup win in 2015, her career ended on a sour note after her controversial remarks about Sweden. Following that incident, she faced suspension from U.S. Soccer and did not continue with the Seattle Reign.

Additionally, Solo had previously sued U.S. Soccer over unfair pay practices, a move she separated from her former teammates. This year’s TST will feature 16 women’s teams, transforming TST into a global event of women’s soccer.

Solo FC is set to compete against former USWNT stars, including Carli Lloyd, Ali Krieger, and Heather O’Reilly. The tournament promises to bring competitive excitement, echoing Solo’s strong legacy in the sport as she steps back onto the pitch.