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Hope Solo, Sydney Leroux Sign With Sounders Women

The Sounders Women announced two big player signings today, inking goalkeeper Hope Solo and forward Sydney Leroux.

By Danny Kelly
CLEVELAND - MAY 22: Hope Solo #1 of the United States makes a save in front of Inka Grings #8 of Germany during the game on May 22, 2010 at Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND - MAY 22: Hope Solo #1 of the United States makes a save in front of Inka Grings #8 of Germany during the game on May 22, 2010 at Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The Sounders Women announced two player signings today, inking goalkeeper Hope Solo and forward Sydney Leroux to contracts with the team.

Solo, 30, a Richland, Washington native and former Washington women's star and member of the Husky Hall of Fame, is the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. Women's National Team and was integral in their run to the FIFA World Cup Final in 2011 in Germany. She was also 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. (You may also know her from Dancing with the Stars).

Leroux is a native of British Columbia, played four seasons for UCLA and was named to Soccer America's MVP First Team in 2010 and 2011, and is an exciting up-and-coming goal-scorer with the Under-20 Women's National Team.

In a press release, Sounders General Manager Amy Carnell expressed her excitement at the signings.

"Hope is undoubtedly the best women's keeper in the game today. 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 Sydney Leroux sets the tone for what we think will be a very special year for Sounders Women's soccer."

Added Head Coach Michelle French:

"Sydney is the consummate goal scorer with an incredible attacking attitude. 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 reached out to fans on her Twitter account Tuesday with this message:

A very exciting time for the Sounders Women as they picks up two very talented players.

For more on the Sounder Women, make sure you head over to Sounder at Heart.