Hope Solo returns to U.S. practice

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Hope Solo stood in the net, leaned forward and grimaced. She had just dived to her right to make a save, and her injured leg was feeling the effects.

The goalkeeper for the U.S. women's soccer team was back on the practice field Thursday, one day before the game that will determine whether the Americans go to the Olympics. Whether she'll actually play was still in doubt.

"We still have quite some time to figure that out," Solo said after practice. "I have rehab scheduled right (now), another rehab session tonight, so we're just going to have to wait and see."

The U.S. plays Costa Rica on Friday to determine one of the two berths from the CONCACAF region for the London Olympics. Backup Nicole Barnhart will start if Solo can't go.

Solo pulled her right quadriceps during a workout Sunday and aggravated it during Tuesday's game against Mexico. The injury came about as part of the extra training she had been doing to get back into soccer shape after appearing on "Dancing With the Stars" after last year's World Cup.

Solo had her right thigh heavily wrapped by trainer Rick Guter before taking the field Thursday on the artificial turf at BC Place. She worked through routine footwork, catching and stretching drills during the one-hour practice. She stopped to remove the thigh wrap about halfway through.

"I never like tape or bandages, even on my shoulder," she said. "I don't like it on my wrist. It is hard to get used to."

Solo said she wants to play against Costa Rica, but she'll understand if coach Pia Sundhage goes with Barnhart.

"Honestly, we have to do what's best for the team," Solo said. "This isn't a friendly. You get three subs, and nobody wants to waste a sub on the goalkeeper. We don't want to see me back there grimacing and holding my leg."

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press