Hope Solo accepts warning for accidental use of banned substance

It was announced Monday that United States national team goalkeeper Hope Solo of Richland, Wash. and the Seattle Sounders Women W-League team accepted a public warning from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for testing positive for a banned substance.

Eastern & Central Washington teams reach 6 finals, win 3 titles at USCS Regionals

Two dozen teams from six clubs in the greater-Spokane region traveled to Seattle for the US Club Soccer Northwest Regional Tournament June 23-26 along with eight other entries from Central and Eastern Washington - a total of 32 teams. Half of the entries advanced from group play, highlighted by the Spokane Shadow coming home with three championships.

Overall, the Shadow finished with Vancouver United as the clubs with the second-most championships won. Redmond-based Washington Crossfire finished with four titles, leading a group of Puget Sound area clubs that won 12 in total. Northwest Nationals (Lynnwood) and Eastside FC (Bellevue) won two each with Washington Rush (Everett), Washington Premier (Puyallup), Seattle United and Whatcom FC (Bellingham) each winning one.

Vancouver United (WA) led the collection of Portland-area clubs, a region that spans to Eugene as well as over into Washington. In addition to Vancouver United’s three titles, fellow Vancouver-based teams Salmon Creek SC, Santos FC and Pacific FC won championships. FC Portland and Eugene Metro FC won championships representing Oregon.

The Shadow won three of the seven titles claimed outside of the I-5 corridor. The other four to win were the Idaho Thunder (Post Falls), Missoula Strikers (MT), La Roca FC (Kaysville, UT) and Cook Inlet SC (Anchorage, AK).

The good and bad news is the report I was planning to do on all the Inland Northwest teams from Washington ended up being quite lengthy. For those interested in a particular region, check out the three sections I split the round-up into via the following links.

REGIONAL RECAPS

Spokane Shadow send 16 teams; win three championships [+]
Three advance to playoff rounds from Spokane quintet [+]
Three clubs do well for Tri-Cities, Central Washington [+]

RELATED RECAPS

Five clubs find success for Idaho at USCS Regionals in Seattle [+]
Missoula Strikers, Magic City lead Montana contingent at USCS Regionals in Seattle [+]
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Shining brighter and further in Spokane

A few days before the home opener at Joe Albi Stadium, Head Coach Jason Quintero shared a positive view for the upcoming season for a Spokane Shine squad and club that continue to evolve. The team plays host to an unbeaten Issaquah SC side Friday evening at 7:05 pm ET.

“I know they have not been scored on, and I want to change that,” was the first thing Quintero said of the upcoming opponent. “They got some decent players, just looking at their roster and where those players have been - and what level they play at - I know they are going to have a decent team.

The first-year Issaquah club comes into the match with a 2-0-0 record with a 3-0 win over Eugene Metro FC and a 2-0 result against Portland Rain SC – both at home. This will be the team’s first trip away from home, giving Spokane the opportunity to perhaps take utilize a similar advantage their opponents had last week when they opened on the road themselves in Eugene and Bend versus the same Metro FC side as well as the Oregon Rush.