Veteran U.S Goalkeeper Hope Solo was re-instated from her 30-day suspension put up by the U.S Soccer Federation a month ago when Solo’s husband, Jerramy Stevens, was caught driving a team van under the influence at 2 o’clock in the morning. Solo was riding in the passenger seat at the scene and according to reports was belligerent with the authorities.  This news broke just days after Solo was released on alleged domestic violence charges.

The 30-day suspension forced Solo to miss two high-profile matches against No. 3 France and No. 6 England, and also uncovered an under-lying issue for the No. 2 U.S side. Who could fill Solo’s position for arguably the two most competitive matches before this summer’s World Cup? The back-up goalkeepers Ashlyn Harris and Alyssa Naeher were available for the international fixtures and Harris started in net for both. The U.S team fell 2-0 to France and came back with a 1-0 win over England on a lone goal from U.S star forward, Alex Morgan.

Now that Solo is available for the Algarve Cup, many fans are eager to see her back in net for the next game against Norway. Solo is the most experienced of the three goalkeepers, no doubt. But at the same time, Harris’ performances were solid against two teams who will be highly competitive in Canada, and this fact cannot be over-looked.

Focusing on the loss against France, the U.S team struggled to get on the scoreboard and there were strings of uncharacteristic plays and rare missed scoring opportunities, but more importantly the score did not accurately reflect the Harris’ performance. She made clinical saves to hold off the skilled French attack.

In the 32nd minute Louisa Nécib of France sent in a corner kick to the far post. The ball was not cleared and then fell to Laura Georges who managed to volley a dangerous shot on frame that Harris tipped over the bar. One minute later, Lauren Holiday lost the ball at midfield giving France’s Amandine Henry time and space to dribble the ball down the middle of the defensive third. Just outside the 18-yard box, Henry ripped a lethal shot that Harris once again tipped over the bar. Both of these saves came late in the first half, which saved the U.S from an otherwise two-goal deficit at the half.

Early in the second half, France’s Élodie Thomis beat Lori Chalupny in a 1v1 battle on the right side and sent in a perfectly weighted cross to the top of the six-yard box. Eugénie Le Sommer snuck up the back of occupied U.S defender, Whitney Engen, and was left unattended 6 yards out from goal. Le Sommer, scored for France in the 50th min and in a defensive scramble, Jessica Houara sends in a ball from the left side that curves into the side of the net, 2-0 France.

Both of the goals scored against the U.S Team in their matchup with France were more a testament to the shaky defensive efforts and lack of communication in the defensive third than by a mistake made by the keeper, and no goalkeeper in the world could have saved that second goal from such an extreme angle.

As the U.S team moves on past these two European friendlies there will come a time when Jill Ellis will need to select a keeper, and while Solo may be the obvious answer, Harris’ performance in the past games should give her something to think about.