Hope Solo has settled her grievance with the US Soccer Federation after she had her contract terminated last year for calling the Swedish team “a bunch of cowards”, it has been reported.

In a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, the controversial goalkeeper said that she and US Soccer “have amicably resolved the matter and are moving forward in a positive way”.

Solo, 36, was suspended for six months by US Soccer last August for her disparaging remarks about Sweden’s defensive tactics after the US women’s team were knocked out on penalties of the Rio Olympics at the quarter-final stage.

“I thought we played a courageous game. I thought we had many opportunities on goal,” Solo said afterwards, creating global headlines. “I think we showed a lot of heart. We came back from a goal down, I’m very proud of this team. And I also think we played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today, I strongly, firmly believe that.”

This led to a stern rebuke from the US Soccer president, Sunil Gulati, who said Solo’s comments were “unacceptable and do not meet the standard of conduct we require from our national team players”.

After Solo – who underwent shoulder replacement surgery in September 2016 – was banned and had her contract terminated, the US Women’s National Team players’ association filed a grievance on her behalf. It has now been settled to avoid arbitration.

Solo added: “I want to reiterate my regret for the comments I made after our loss to Sweden at the Rio Games. As I expressed in my apology to the Swedish captain immediately following the match, I have tremendous respect for the Swedish team, and in describing the style of play, I used a choice of words that was both offensive and not at all what I had intended to convey.”

At the time of her ban, Rich Nicholls, the general counsel for the women’s national team’s players’ association, called Solo’s suspension “excessive, unprecedented, disproportionate, and a violation of Ms Solo’s first amendment rights”.

Meanwhile, US international Carli Lloyd is in the running to be named Fifa Women’s Player of the Year. The Houston Dash midfielder, who had a loan spell with Manchester City last season, is up against Venezuelan teenager Deyna Castellaños and Lieke Martens, part of Holland’s successful Euro 2017 side.