Saint Louis Athletica's Hope Solo is the first goalkeeper to win U.S. Soccer's Female Athlete of the Year award.

 

(Dec. 21, 2009) – Saint Louis Athletica’s Hope Solo has been named the 2009 U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year.  Solo is the first goalkeeper to win the award.

Playing at a world class level for both club and country in 2009, Solo solidified her status as one of the best female goalkeepers in the world. She was named MVP of the prestigious Algarve Cup in Portugal in March after a sparkling performance against Sweden in the championship game.

Her inspirational play for Saint Louis Athletica was invaluable in leading the club to a second place finish in the regular season. She also earned the WPS Coast Guard Goalkeeper of the Year award, finishing second in WPS in both saves and shutouts. In a down year for the U.S. WNT game schedule due to WPS, Solo played in just six matches, but allowed only one goal and consistently made key saves when called upon.

“It’s a huge honor but also a really nice surprise to be voted the female athlete of the year for U.S. Soccer,” said Solo. “I especially want to thank everyone for voting for a goalkeeper, as well as our goalkeeper coach Paul Rogers for helping me think about the position in a more sophisticated way, both technically and tactically.”

“Certainly, I also want to share any accolades with our defense, from the backs all the way up to the forwards, as well as Pia and our coaches who have put together a great team of people and players as we keep moving forward in a positive direction to the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.”

Saint Louis Athletica kicks off its 2010 season when it hosts FC Gold Pride on Sunday, April 11.