Abby Wambach Announces Retirement: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction
Abby Wambach, the star forward for the United States women's national team and the all-time leading scorer in international soccer, announced she will retire in December, per USSoccer.com.
On Tuesday, she spoke about her decision to hang up her cleats:
"After much deliberation and talking with my friends, family, teammates and our coaching staff, I've decided to finally bring my soccer career to an end. While we still have more work to do for women's soccer, after bringing the World Cup back to the United States this summer, I'm feeling extremely optimistic about the future of our sport. It's been an amazing, wonderful ride and I can't wait to see what the next chapter of my life brings.
"
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Wambach, 35, has scored 184 goals in 252 caps over 15 years with the USWNT. She played in four World Cups with the United States and played a role in the team's 2015 triumph over Japan. She also played in two Olympics, winning gold in 2004 and 2012. She was the 2012 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.
NBA great Kobe Bryant spoke about Wambach following her announcement:
Wambach was a ferocious presence in the box, as her leaping ability and header accuracy made her one of the most dangerous target forwards in the women's game. Paul Carr of ESPN put her dominance in the air into perspective:
She was an excellent finisher in general, however, and solidified the forward position for well over a decade.
"Abby is a player who has transcended our sport and her legacy as one of the world's greatest players is set forever," U.S. head coach Jill Ellis said, per USSoccer.com. "What she has done for women's soccer and women's sports overall with her amazing talents on the field and her personality off it has been inspiring to watch."
Wambach will remain with the team for its four December matches, finishing her career on Dec. 16 against China PR in New Orleans during the team's celebratory Victory Tour. She passes the torch at forward to younger players such as 26-year-old Alex Morgan and 25-year-old Sydney Leroux, though replacing the impact she had on the USWNT or women's soccer in general may prove to be impossible.
