Hope Solo

Hope Solo talking about her match against Mexico a few years ago

The United States Soccer Federation gave out their yearly awards for 2009 on Monday. Among those honored was U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Hope Solo, who took home the honor of “Female Athlete of the Year.”

Hope Solo‘s 2009 featured her grow to prominence on both the international and league scenes. She won both the MVP award at the Algarve Cup in Portugal as well as WPS Goalkeeper of the Year for her club team, the St. Louis Athletica.

In a video placed on USSoccer.com, Hope Solo gave thanks those who voted for her for the honor. Hope Solo said on the website, “It’s a huge honor but also a really nice surprise to be voted the female athlete of the year for U.S. Soccer. I particularly want to thank everyone for voting for a goalie, as well as our netkeeper manager Paul Rogers for helping me reckon about the position in a more sophisticated way, both technically and tactically.”

The other prize winners were Landon Donovan, who was named “Male Athlete of the Year,” plus Tobin Heath and Luis Gil, who were named USSF “Young Athletes of the Year.”

See video of Hope Solo having her award and giving thanks her fans below: