Venture Capitalist Stefan Pfister Proposed to Hope Solo with Poster at Semifinal

The U.S. women’s soccer team is in the finals of the World Cup and set to play Japan Sunday. The team has gained enormous popularity since its comeback win over Brazil in the quarterfinals, and the hype has continued.

Goalkeeper Hope Solo is one of the most recognizable players on the team. Not only is she possibly the best keeper in the world, but she’s also quite outspoken. She frequently appears in interviews and she’s become the face of the team. Needless to say, she’s also captured plenty of male attention.

One fan who is particularly smitten is Stefan Pfister, a venture capitalist from Dusseldorf, Germany. Pfister has fallen in love with Solo and attended the semifinal game Wednesday to show his love for her.

“Hope Solo is a beautiful woman and a wonderful athlete,” Pfister said in an interview this week. “She shows that you can be feminine and athletic and the best in your chosen sport. I saw during the last game that a fan had written a banner which proposed marriage so I am going to do the same, except that mine will be bigger and better.

“I am not necessarily expecting a positive response but it is a genuine offer,” added Pfister, who claims to have homes in five different countries. “I just want to show my appreciation for her class as a person and ability as a footballer.”

Well the game was played Wednesday, and true to his word Pfister was in attendance with a poster proposing to Solo. Check it out:

“Marry me Hope, I’m solo”? That’s kind of cheesy to me, but I guess anyone who would do such a thing must be pretty shameless.

After the U.S. wins Sunday, I’m sure plenty more proposals will be on their way.

UPDATE: Actually, Rick Chandler at Out of Bounds tracked down several more marriage proposals she’s received.