Abby Wambach, the leading goal scorer in Women’s International soccer history and the 2012 world player of the year, will retire after the United States Women’s national squad ends its calendar year 2015 in December. Wambach, 35, made 252 appearances for the United States in a 15-year international career and scored 184 goals, which is a record that stands to this day.
She is definitely going to add to her tally by the time she draws the curtain on what has been a fairytale journey. Her final game will be on December 16 against China in New Orleans.
US Soccer Federation released a statement earlier denoting that after much contemplation and discussion with the friends, family, teammates and the coaching staff, Wambach has come to the conclusion to eventually bring an end to her playing career.
Earlier, when asked about her retirement plans, she had said that she had given a lot of thought to that reality and that it was a really good question and she thinks that she’s going to announce her retirement in coming days, weeks or months and walked away jesting that she would let everyone know soon enough. Not longer after that, Wambach announced her decision to say goodbye to the football field by the end of 2015.
Wambach is a woman of immense talent and skills which helped her career to domestic and continental glory.
She won two Olympic gold medals (2004 and 2008), as well as the 2015 Women’s World Cup. She stated after bringing the cup home this summer that she’s inordinately optimistic about the future of the sport in her homeland.
While speaking to reporters, Wambach admitted that the journey has been amazing with its ups and downs before admitting that she is looking forward to what the next chapter of life brings.
Wambach was one of the few current players to play alongside some of the most celebrated ’99ers such as Mia Ham and Julie Fondy. She eventually became a leader herself, taking complete ownership of the team on and off the field.
Abby Wambach is leaving the game just the way she wanted to: As a Champion!
One of her most memorable goals came in the quarterfinals of the 2011 World Cup in Germany, when she scored the equalizer against Brazil in the 122nd minute, a feat that helped her join Mia Hamm as the only American to win the FIFA Player of the Year award.
Before announcing her retirement, Wambach and her teammates were invited by President Barrack Obama to the White House where Obama gave a speech saying that the World Cup winning squad taught all American children that playing like a girl means to be “a badass”.
Wambach’s mission throughout her career was to promote equal rights for women in the game. And although American football will really miss its charismatic captain, one thing is for sure – Amy Wambach is surely not done with the game and seeing her return as a coach in the near future will not be something that should come as a surprise.
Be the first to comment on "Abby Wambach to hang her boots"