Hope Solo granted ‘personal leave’ by Seattle Reign, will miss Portland match

The Seattle Reign announced Saturday morning the signing of Andi Tostanoski as a goalkeeper replacement for Hope Solo, who has been “granted a personal leave” in the wake of her suspension from the U.S. women’s national team. Solo will be unavailable for this afternoon’s match against rival Portland at Memorial Stadium.

U.S. Soccer announced Solo’s six-month international suspension on Wednesday, and Reign coach Laura Harvey admitted late this week that she wasn’t entirely sure what that meant for the veteran ‘keeper’s club future.

“This is life-changing for her,” Harvey said on Thursday. “We’re all very mindful of that. We’re very conscious that we want to have conversations with her privately about what this means to her and what she’s thinking before we even think about what that might mean for us in the long term.”

This afternoon’s match is something close to a must-win for the Reign if the club hopes to reach its third straight postseason. Seattle (5-5-5) is currently five points out of the playoff spots with five matches remaining — nine back of Portland, which travels north having lost just twice all season.

Tostanoski, 21, was previously signed by Seattle in early July and has played in two matches for Reign, a road loss and a home draw both against Western New York.

Kickoff at Memorial is set for 2 p.m.