Honestly, if you were a soccer fan in the late 2000s or early 2010s, you couldn't escape the presence of Hope Solo. She wasn't just a goalkeeper; she was a wall. And for a lot of us, that Hope Solo goalkeeper jersey—specifically the bright, neon, or deep purple ones she wore during her most dominant stretches—became a symbol of a very specific era of American dominance.
But here is the thing that still drives collectors absolutely crazy.
Even at the peak of her fame, when she was winning Golden Gloves and keeping clean sheets like they were going out of style, getting your hands on an official Nike Hope Solo goalkeeper jersey was surprisingly difficult. While you could walk into any Dick's Sporting Goods and grab a Carli Lloyd or Abby Wambach home kit, the goalkeeper gear was often treated like an afterthought by retailers.
The Problem With Goalkeeper Kits
Goalkeepers are always the outliers. FIFA rules are pretty strict about this: the person in the net has to wear colors that clash with everyone else on the pitch, including the refs. Because of that, Solo was often out there in vibrant yellows, forest greens, or that legendary 2011 purple kit while the rest of the USWNT was in classic white or blue.
For Nike, this created a bit of a logistical headache. They didn't think the demand was there for "niche" positions.
They were wrong.
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Fans didn't just want a USWNT jersey; they wanted the specific armor Solo wore when she denied Brazil in the 2011 World Cup quarterfinals. They wanted the kit she was wearing when she stood her ground during those high-tension penalty shootouts.
A Look at the Most Iconic Designs
If you are looking for a vintage Hope Solo goalkeeper jersey today, you’re basically looking for one of three major "eras." Each one represents a different chapter of her fairly chaotic but undeniably brilliant career.
The 2011 "Neon and Purple" Era
This is the one most people remember. During the 2011 World Cup in Germany, Solo wore a few different variations, but the purple long-sleeve kit is the holy grail. It had these subtle patterns on the sleeves and a very aggressive, athletic fit. If you find an authentic 2011 goalkeeper shirt with the #1 on the back and the "SOLO" nameplate, you are looking at a piece of memorabilia that can easily fetch several hundred dollars.
The 2012 Olympic Gold Kit
The 2012 London Olympics saw a bit of a shift. The kits were slightly more streamlined. Nike was leaning into the "Vapor" technology back then, making everything lighter and more breathable. Solo often wore a bright yellow or a striking green during this tournament. This was the year she helped secure her second Olympic gold, and the jersey became a "must-have" for fans who stayed up late or woke up early to watch those games.
The 2015 World Cup Champion Look
By the time 2015 rolled around, the USWNT was a global juggernaut. This kit was a bit more refined. We saw a lot of "gradient" designs during this period—think black sleeves fading into a solid color. It was modern. It was sleek. And because the USWNT actually won the whole thing this time, the 2015 Hope Solo goalkeeper jersey is probably the most widely available on the second-hand market, though it’s still far from "common."
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Why the 2013 Centennial Jersey Is So Rare
There is one specific jersey that collectors treat like a mythical creature: the 2013 USSF Centennial jersey.
To celebrate 100 years of U.S. Soccer, Nike released a kit with a massive, old-school crest that looked incredibly classy. The field players wore white with blue accents. Solo, however, had a yellow version of this Centennial kit.
It was only worn for a couple of matches.
Because it was a limited anniversary run, Nike didn't produce many for the public. Finding a yellow 2013 Centennial Hope Solo goalkeeper jersey in a women’s large or medium is basically like winning the lottery. Most of the ones you see online are "custom" replicas—meaning someone bought a blank yellow keeper shirt and had the name and number heat-pressed on later.
Authentic vs. Replica: Don't Get Fooled
If you are hunting on eBay or Depop, you’ve gotta be careful. Since Nike didn't mass-produce these, the market is flooded with fakes or "fan-made" versions.
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Here is how you tell the difference:
- The Crest: Authentic Nike jerseys from Solo's era will have a high-quality embroidered or heat-applied crest. If the stitching looks "puffy" or the edges are frayed, it’s a knockoff.
- The Sizing: Solo always wore the "Player Issue" or "Authentic" versions, which are significantly tighter and more tapered than the "Stadium" versions fans buy.
- The Product Code: Look for the small white tag inside the left side of the shirt. It’ll have a 6-digit code followed by a 3-digit code (like 539041-703). You can Google that code to see if it actually matches a USWNT goalkeeper template.
The Legacy of the Number 1
Even though Solo's career with the national team ended on a controversial note in 2016, her impact on the position is undeniable. She made goalkeeping "cool" for a generation of girls. Before her, the focus was almost always on the goal scorers. Solo changed that.
When you wear a Hope Solo goalkeeper jersey, you aren't just wearing a piece of polyester. You’re wearing the history of someone who holds the record for the most shutouts in USWNT history (102, in case you were wondering). That's a lot of games where the other team just... couldn't score.
How to Find One Today
If you're looking to buy one now, your best bet isn't a traditional store.
- Check specialized soccer forums: Places like the "Match Worn" communities often have collectors who are looking to trade.
- Memorabilia Auctions: Sites like Heritage Auctions or even specialized eBay sellers often have signed versions. Expect to pay a premium for the autograph, but at least you know the jersey is likely an authentic "Pro Style" cut.
- The "Blank" Strategy: Sometimes it’s easier to find a blank Nike goalkeeper jersey from the correct year (like the 2015 template) and then send it to a professional customizer like Yank Threads to have the official name and number applied.
It takes some digging. It takes some patience. But for fans of the best goalkeeper to ever wear the crest, having that #1 on your back is worth the hassle.
To start your collection, your first step should be verifying the specific "colorway" used in the tournament you're most interested in. Once you have the year and color, use the "Style Code" search method on resale sites to bypass the flood of generic fan apparel and find the actual kits from Solo's tenure.