USWNT coach Jill Ellis: Hope Solo's ban due to 'sum total of actions'

United States women's national team head coach Jill Ellis says Hope Solo's ban from national duty is due to a culmination of misdemeanors, not her stoic stance on equal pay.

The goalkeeper - a decorated veteran of 202 caps and a record 101 clean sheets - had her U.S. Soccer contract terminated when she made disparaging remarks about Sweden after the Scandinavians kicked the USWNT out of Rio 2016. But Solo's version of events asserts her punishment is firmly linked to her "fighting so hard" for parity in salary between the women's and men's national teams.

Related - Solo: Fight for equal pay led to U.S. soccer contract termination

This notion, however, has been quashed by her international boss for over the past two years.

"Over time, there's been off-the-field distractions, and the federation has taken action," said Ellis. "Each time action has been taken, there's been made clear an expectation that this would be the last time such a step would be necessary.

"Sadly, Hope's postgame comments forced us to make a significant decision. It wasn't a decision just made about comments. It was a sum total of actions that have unfortunately shown a negative light on our program."

Solo branded Sweden a "bunch of cowards" after the U.S. was denied a defence of its Olympic title in Brazil at the quarterfinal stage, prompting wide criticism across the continent. The reaction included words of disappointment from her club and international teammate Megan Rapinoe.

Related: Sweden stuns U.S. on penalties in women's soccer

But numerous earlier tales have suggested Solo can be an abrasive personality, and one troubled by off-field problems, particularly when she was arrested on charges of domestic violence.

Solo already called an end to her playing commitments for 2016 at the end of last month, ruling herself out of contention for the Seattle Reign in the National Women's Soccer League soon after being granted personal leave.

In Solo's absence, Ellis is keen on handing other shot-stoppers opportunities between the sticks.

"After the Olympics the plan was always to prepare for (the World Cup in) 2019 and that means investing in the other goalkeepers and getting them playing time," Eliis continued. "That’s still the process and it's the same for every position. Everything right now is building towards 2019 and our future."