Hope Solo Keeps DWTS Focus as magicJack Are Terminated From WPS

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Friday, October 28, 2011

Professional soccer player-turned-dancer on this season of “Dancing with the Stars” has narrowly escaped elimination, and now faces losing her position on the soccer field.

The Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) group announced Thursday that its Board of Governors had voted two days prior to terminate one of its six teams - magicJack, which Solo is a member of.

Thirty team members and several members of the U.S. World Cup team including Abby Wambach are turning in their uniforms due to the decision. The act has spawned from conflicts with the team’s owner throughout the season, according to The Associated Press.

In August, the owner of magicJack, Dan Borislow, filed a suit against the WPS in a Florida court after the group punished his team by docking a point in standings and a draft pick for not meeting league standards.

The WPS retaliated to the suit by releasing a statement accusing Borislow of abuses varying from “unprofessional and disparaging treatment of his players to failure to pay his bills.”

“Mr. Barislow’s actions have been calculated to tarnish the reputation of the league and damage the league’s business relationships,” added the WPS.

The news of magicJack’s termination may serve Solo well, who told “DWTS” co-host Brooke Burke that juggling rehearsals for the show and practicing for soccer matches has been difficult.

“To go from soccer training in the morning to rehearsals in the afternoon, it’s very, very difficult,” said Solo ahead of Week 2 on “DWTS.”

This season, Solo and her dancing partner, Maks Chmerkoviskiy has received consistently low scores from the judges on “DWTS.”

“I keep trying and trying and nothing is good enough,” said Solo during Week 5- Broadway Week.

The couple’s performance earned comments from the judges that included, “That was the worst dance of the whole season,” according to Judge Bruno.

Coming to their defense, Chmerkoviskiy accused the judges of being too harsh, which was not the first time the “DWTS” judges’ panel has come under fire for their comments.

The six remaining couples, including Solo and Chmerkoviskiy, will return to the dance floor next week to continue competing for the mirror ball trophy. “DWTS” airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. EST, and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EST.