Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
US World Cup hero Abby Wambach today became the first individual soccer player to ever win the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award. The 1999 US Women's National Team won the award after their World Cup title, but never before has an individual player been honored by the AP.
No male player has ever won the Athlete of the Year award either, not even Landon Donovan, who let's be honest has seemingly won every other possible award based on either performance or name recognition alone. Teammate Hope Solo finished second in the voting, adding to the moment for the sport of women's soccer with two of its biggest stars being recognized for this award.
The 31-year old reminded the sporting world of her awesomeness in several ways this year, but most notably in the World Cup quarterfinal against Brazil when her stoppage time header saved the US from elimination. The goal, combined the the US team's run to the World Cup final brought a much deserved wave of attention to women's soccer in the United States.
It's an great honor for Wambach who in three separate World Cups has amassed 13 goals, most by any American and third on the all-time scoring list.
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