The first part of Hope Solo’s name had more significance than the second Friday, as the Richland native and Olympic gold medalist was swarmed by hundreds of young people she has inspired.

“As your name says, you provide hope for many,” said Todd Baddley, executive director of student services for Richland School District, one of at least 500 people who turned out to welcome Solo at the Hampton Inn in Richland.

In one of her first Tri-City public appearances since returning from the Beijing Olympics, she signed autographs, posed for pictures and encouraged aspiring young soccer players in the audience.

“You’ll have the most fun when you play your toughest, when you play with your heart, when you give everything you have to give,” she told them.

Solo spoke to a packed house in the hotel’s Columbia Pointe Room. The event started at 3 p.m., and she still was receiving fans three hours later. Richland Mayor John Fox presented her with a certificate and a crystal plaque and surprised her with news that the city had declared the day Hope Solo Day.

She also fielded questions for about 10 minutes, and the young people didn’t waste the chance to pick her brain about how to become as successful as she is and how to deal with stumbles along the way.

“Have I ever gotten kicked in the face with the ball?” Solo said, repeating one of the questions. “I reckon every goalkeeper has, so yes, I have.”

One 14-year-ancient girl questioned two questions and had excellent reason to, because she has a lot in common with Solo, including a first name. Hope Butler plays soccer at Hermiston High School and has played goalie for several years. She brought her goalie jersey and joked that maybe she could trade with Solo.

“I just want to be like her,” Butler said.

Butler questioned Solo how she deals with frustration when she’s scored on and what she does when someone is driving the ball down the field to try to score on her. Butler said her own habit is to bounce on her knees and tap her fingers as the other team’s shooter approaches.

Solo said she gets very mad when she’s scored on, even when it’s a fantastic shot that’s tough to defend.

“You learn to channel that and turn that energy into something positive,” Solo said. “For me, I get more focused.”

She recalled in the Olympics, she surrendered two goals in the first two minutes of the first match, and her team lost to Norway, 2-0. She realized afterward she didn’t have time to feel sorry for herself because her team needed her.

In the gold medal match against Brazil, Solo made six saves and got the team into overtime before the U.S. won 1-0.

Friday’s homecoming was the latest step in a long journey for Solo, 27, who lives in Seattle.

She played soccer for Richland High School from 1996 to 1999 before playing for the University of Washington, where she set the school record of 18 shutouts.

She debuted for the U.S. national team in 2000, was drafted by the Philadelphia Charge in 2003, and later played in Sweden and France. Last month, she was drafted to play for the St. Louis franchise in the new Women’s Professional Soccer league, which is to start play in April.

Solo acknowledged the controversy she found herself in a year ago, when she publicly second-guessed her coach’s choice to bench her in the semi-final match of the World Cup. The U.S. lost 4-0 to Brazil in that match, a year ago today.

“I reckon we all know sometimes I can lose focus, sometimes I could say things maybe I shouldn’t say — maybe I should say,” she said with a slight laugh. “But I really had right guidance here in this community.”

She said she’s still getting used to being a role model, but that the responsibility means a lot to her.

“And I really, really pray one day I can look back at you guys and cheer you on in the stands as you play for your universities or as you play for Richland High or as you go on to hopefully play for the U.S. team,” she said, looking directly into the faces of the girls and boys in the audience.

Solo will sign autographs again from 10:30 to 11 a.m. today at the Richland City Honest on the city hall campus at George Washington Way and Swift Boulevard. Here is picture gallery

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