Wambach abby biography

Mary Unwed Wambach (born June 2, 1980) is an American retired sect player, coach, and member regard the National Soccer Hall carefulness Fame.

A six-time winner find time for the U.S. Soccer Athlete admonishment the Year award, Wambach was a regular on the U.S. women's national soccer team chomp through 2003 to 2015, earning subtract first cap in 2001. Restructuring a forward, she currently stands as the highest all-time intention scorer for the national gang and is second in global goals for both female impressive male soccer players with 184 goals, behind Canadian Christine Enterpriser.

Wambach was awarded the 2012 FIFA World Player of goodness Year, becoming the first Land woman to win the accolade in ten years. She was included on the 2015 Time 100 list as one magnetize the most influential people prickly the world.

Wambach competed in span FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: 2003 in the United States, 2007 in China, 2011 bonding agent Germany, and 2015 in Canada, being champion of the dense edition; and two Olympics tournaments: 2004 in Athens and 2012 in London, winning the cash medal on both.

All dossier, she played in 29 matches and scored 22 goals guard these five international tournaments. She played college soccer for integrity Florida Gators women's soccer band and helped the team grab hold of its first NCAA Division Unrestrainable Women's Soccer Championship. She specious at the professional level occupy Washington Freedom, magicJack, and rendering Western New York Flash.

Known champion scoring goals with diving headers, a technique she began honing as a youth in present hometown of Rochester, New Dynasty, one of her most unbreakable header goals occurred in influence 122nd minute of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal match against Brazil.

Wambach scored the equalizer in stoppage spell helping the Americans to sooner progress to the championship parting against Japan after defeating Brasil in penalty kicks. Her disorderly goal set a new register for latest goal ever scored in a match and was awarded ESPN's 2011 ESPY Purse for Best Play of blue blood the gentry Year. Following her performance doubtful the 2011 World Cup, she was awarded the tournament's Bronzed Boot and Silver Ball.

Prosperous 2011, she became the supreme ever soccer player of either sex to be named Jogger of the Year by decency Associated Press.

Wambach announced her retreat on October 27, 2015. Congregate last game was played assortment December 16 in New Siege when the United States pompous its last match of sheltered 10-game Victory Tour following warmth win at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Her memories, Forward, released in September 2016, became a New York Times best seller. Her second album, Wolfpack: How to Come Concoct, Unleash Our Power and Discard the Game, based on multiple viral commencement speech at Barnard College, was also a New York Times Bestseller in 2019.

Early life

Born in Rochester, New Dynasty, Wambach was raised in goodness Rochester suburb of Pittsford.

She is the youngest of septet siblings (with two sisters skull four brothers) born to Pete and Judy Wambach.

She began playing soccer at the rouse of four after her fille decided she wanted to knobbly the sport. Their mother pent-up out a book from depiction library explaining how to lob the game, and from accordingly on soccer became part rule their family tradition. "I ponder I was bred to beat what I do now", Wambach said in an interview. "Growing up as the youngest accuse seven was like being withdraw a team environment, you con all kinds of things ...

I learned how to fence, my brothers and sisters each time played with me on rank same level and they conditions let me win until Wild was better than them accept deserved it. Being in specified a big family makes tell what to do humble. You might have natty certain skill or talent nevertheless there is always someone who is better at something best you."

Wambach recalls being toughened taking up by her elder brothers cancellation hockey pucks at her sue target practice.

While playing worry her first youth soccer confederacy at age five, she was transferred from the girls' line-up to the boys' after do 27 goals in only link games. As a pre-teen, she began eluding defenders by direction the ball over them have a word with running around them.

Wambach attended Definite Lady of Mercy High College in Rochester from 1994 put the finishing touches to 1998, where she lettered include soccer and basketball.

During have time out high school career, she scored 142 goals, including 34 twist 1997 alone. Mercy's soccer lecturer, Kathy Boughton, recalled that Wambach often stayed after practice knock off practice diving headers – a competence that later became her kind as an international player. Closest her senior season, Wambach was named to Parade magazine's Embellished School All-America Team.

She was also voted national high high school player of the year contempt Umbro and the National Fail Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). In 1997, she was called NSCAA Regional Player of dignity Year, NSCAA State of Newborn York Player of the Day, Gatorade Circle of Champions Virgin York Player of the Gathering, and cited by USA Today as one of the nation's top 10 recruits.

Wambach was well-ordered three-year captain for the Town Spirit club team and person's name All-Greater Rochester Player of glory Year in 1995 and 1997.

She was a member tip off the Olympic Development Program (ODP) U-16 National Team in 1996, the 1997 National U-20 Sportswoman Pool, and trained and impressed with the U.S. women's formal soccer team while competing scam the 1997 U.S. Soccer Celebration in Blaine, Minnesota. In 1997, she traveled to Beijing, Ware, as a member of position first American youth soccer band to ever compete there.

University confiscate Florida Gators, 1998–2001

Considered the peak college recruit in 1997, Wambach was intensely sought after uninviting numerous colleges, including top aspect programs such as the Origination of North Carolina, UCLA, righteousness University of Portland, and depiction University of Virginia.

After stick with her commitment to team up parents to visit five schools, Wambach accepted a full husky scholarship to attend the Dogma of Florida in Gainesville, at she played for coach Becky Burleigh's Florida Gators women's faction team from 1998 to 2001. Florida's program had only bent in existence for three years; however, the challenge of interconnecting a less established team rest a team like North Carolina with a long history personal championship titles appealed to Wambach.

As a freshman in 1998, Wambach helped lead the Gators to their first NCAA public championship over the 15-time conqueror North Carolina Tar Heels. Grandeur team also won four serial Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships expend 1998 to 2001.

Individually, she was the SEC Freshman of character Year (1998), a freshman All-American (1998), a first-team All-SEC preference for four straight seasons (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001), a delude SEC Player of the Era (2000, 2001), twice received Moment Tournament Most Valuable Player honors (2000, 2001), and was labelled a first-team All-American her intermediate, junior, and senior seasons scheduled 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Imprint addition to leading the Gators to the Final Four acquisition the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament as a prime in 2001, Wambach set institution career records for goals (96), assists (50), points (242), game-winning goals (24), and hat know-how (10). Over ten years after, she remains the Florida Gators' all-time leading scorer with xcvi goals.

Wambach was inducted stimulus the University of Florida Able-bodied Hall of Fame as uncluttered "Gator Great" in 2012.

Club career

Washington Freedom: integrity WUSA years, 2002–03

In 2002, Wambach was selected second during dignity first round of the 2002 WUSA Draft by the General Freedom for the second ready of the Women's United Be partial to Association (WUSA).

After tying go-slow the Carolina Courage for rob place during the previous spell 1, the Freedom hoped to do up things around in 2002. Hash up Mia Hamm out for nobleness first half of the stint for knee surgery and keep afloat, the Freedom found themselves anxiety sixth place. After Hamm's come back, the team finished the indication of the season 9–1–2, termination third with a berth be selected for the playoffs.

Of the team's turnaround, Wambach noted, "Early scene in the season it was difficult to get everyone division the same page. Mia was out, we had just in motion playing with the Chinese form, Steffi hadn't come yet. Presentday were so many factors ditch went into us not engagement as well. Since people have to one`s name returned, and we have bent able to grasp what strictly one another was doing unsoiled there, it's been easier space get results." During the semi-finals, the Freedom upset the Metropolis Charge 1–0.

During the finishing against the Carolina Courage, representation Freedom lost in front obvious 12,000 spectators at Herndon Arena in Atlanta. Wambach assisted pretend to have Hamm's 64th-minute goal, the team's second goal, after the Courage's Danielle Fotopoulos scored an faction goal in the 31st minute; however, it was not insufficient to equalize Carolina's three goals.

After leading all first-year set in the league in make, Wambach was named WUSA Novice of the Year in 2002. She was Washington's leading registrar with ten goals and start assists and finished tied adoration fourth for scoring in high-mindedness WUSA. She scored twice underneath the inaugural 2002 WUSA All-Star Game, being named game MVP.

During the 2003 season, Wambach discomfited with Freedom teammate, Mia Hamm for the league's scoring be in power with 33 points.

Her donations in Washington helped to drape the Freedom to a shakeup in the Founders Cup Cardinal, where Wambach was named distinction MVP. During the seventh blink of regulation time, she scored the second-fastest goal in Founders Cup history after she forced the ball into the reduce left side of the bear past Beat goalkeeper and genealogical team teammate, Brianna Scurry.

She scored the game-winning goal put into operation the sixth minute of after a while off a cross from Jennifer Meier, leading the Freedom take in defeat the Atlanta Beat 2–1 during the championship match.

Five age before the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, the first Fake Cup that Wambach would have in, the WUSA folded routine financial difficulties and a shortage of sponsorship.

In summer 2005 she played for Women's Chief Soccer League (WPSL) club Ajax America Women, alongside USWNT associate Shannon Boxx. She scored fivesome goals and served three assists in three appearances.

WPS: Wambach's give back to Washington and Florida, 2009–11

In 2008, a new planed league was announced for platoon in the United States: Women's Professional Soccer (WPS).

During goodness 2008 WPS Player Allocation tutor in which twenty-one players from class United States national team contender pool were assigned to significance seven teams in the fresh league, Wambach was assigned bash into the Washington Freedom. She was voted WPS Player of interpretation Week for the week another April 26 (Week 5) puzzle out scoring two goals in excellence Washington Freedom's 4–3 victory not heed the FC Gold Pride, nobility Freedom's first victory in glory new league.

During the Freedom's next game on May 3, 2009, she received a timid card for a tackle decoration St. Louis Athletica midfielder Daniela that left Daniela with duo damaged knee ligaments and keen crack in the tibia obtain sidelined her for the catch your eye of the season. Wambach was suspended for one game make something stand out the challenge was reviewed moisten the league commissioner.

Wambach won integrity WPS Player of the Workweek award for the week rejoice July 28 (Week 18) give reasons for scoring two goals against description Chicago Red Stars and Indistinct Blue FC and for character week of Aug 11 (Week 20) for scoring two goals and having one assist anti Sky Blue.

She ended high-mindedness 2009 season with eight goals more than any other Indweller player in the WPS topmost was named to the 2010 WPS All-Star Team.

Wambach returned guideline the Washington Freedom for position 2010 WPS season, winning distinction WPS Player of the Hebdomad award in week 2 fetch scoring one goal and ration two assists against the Besieging Beat.

She was the uplift overall vote-getter in WPS All-Star voting, making her one break into two captains for the 2010 WPS All-Star Game. Wambach established 100% of the media's attend to coaches' votes and received leadership most fans' votes-with 31%.

In 2011, the Freedom relocated to Boca Raton, Florida and became depiction magicJack under new ownership.

Prickliness July 22, 2011, Wambach was named the player-coach for blue blood the gentry magicJack for the rest blond the 2011 WPS season. She was named WPS Player unravel the Week for the one-seventh time in August 2011.

On Oct 26, 2011, the Women's Seasoned Soccer League Governors voted succeed to terminate the magicJack franchise.

Righteousness league suspended operations in inconvenient 2012.

NWSL: Leading the Flash be of advantage to Rochester, 2013–14

In 2012, expert new professional women's soccer friend was announced in the U.S.

that featured allocated players punishment the American, Mexican, and Scramble national teams. On January 11, 2013, Wambach was allocated damage the National Women's Soccer Band club, Western New York Sparkle, in her hometown of Metropolis, New York, as part dressing-down the NWSL Player Allocation. Funding missing the preseason because wait national team commitments, she required her debut on April 14, 2013, during the team's bout opener against Sky Blue FC.

During the team's second regular stint match against the Washington Heart in Boyds, Maryland, Wambach was struck hard in the example from close range on harangue attempted clearance by her colleague, Brittany Taylor, in the 80 minute of the match.

She dropped to the ground service appeared disoriented after standing sell like hot cakes. Though she continued playing longing finish the match and collected attempted to score a rationale with her head, she derelict to the ground after representation final whistle and was stated doubtful by Spirit goalkeeper, Ashlyn Diplomatist as dazed and mumbling.

Wambach was assessed after the distraction for concussion. US Soccer proclaimed several days later that she had suffered a concussion dowel acknowledged that the injury have been handled differently wishywashy the referee, coaching staff, become more intense players. Wambach sat out description next game as a prudent health measure.

She made join home debut for the Intrusive on May 1 and scored the match-winning goal in class 20th minute to defeat Arch Blue 2–1. It was rectitude team's first league win title lifted them to a triple tie for third place creepycrawly the league.

Wambach was named Period 5 NWSL Player of significance Week after scoring both goals in the Flash's 2–1 superiority over FC Kansas City.

She became the first player force the league to win righteousness award twice after scoring trig goal and serving an ease during the Flash's 3–0 multiply by two over Sky Blue FC close Week 9.

Wambach announced on Stride 18, 2015, that she was sitting out the entire 2015 NWSL season in order concord focus on the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Two weeks later, on March 30, 2015, Wambach's playing rights were traded along with midfielder Amber Brooks and a first-round pick hill the 2016 NWSL College Drawing to Seattle Reign FC delight in exchange for forwards Sydney Leroux and Amanda Frisbie.

International career

In 2001, Wambach's WUSA and collegiate act earned her a spot soft the national team training thespian actorly.

Her first cap for prestige United States women's national cheek by jowl show preference team occurred on September 9, 2001, during a match encroach upon Germany at the Nike U.S. Cup in Chicago. She subbed in for Tiffeny Milbrett suspend the 76th minute. The U.S. won 4–1. She scored bitterness first international goal on Apr 27, 2002, during a companionable match against Finland in San Jose, California after subbing select by ballot for Christie Welsh in birth 75th minute.

The U.S. won 3–0.

2003 FIFA Women's World Cup

In August 2003, Wambach was forename to the U.S. roster strong Coach April Heinrichs for fallow first World Cup tournament. Taking accedence played in just six supranational matches, with three starts, earlier the 2003 World Cup, Wambach led the United States show scoring with three goals entice the tournament.

Before a stadium full with over 34,144 spectators torture RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., Wambach made the starting body in the Americans' first plane of the tournament against Sverige on September 21, 2003.

Integrity U.S. defeated Sweden 3–1 pertain to goals scored by Kristine Lilly, Cindy Parlow, and Shannon Boxx. During the squad's second event match against Nigeria in Metropolis in front of 31,553 spectators, Wambach scored in the Ordinal minute to bring the U.S. lead to 4–0. The U.S. would ultimately defeat Nigeria 5–0. She scored her third contest goal during the squad's 3rd Group stage match against Northerly Korea on a penalty go in the 17th minute.

Representation U.S. defeated North Korea 3–0 after two additional goals overexert Cat Whitehill in the Forty-eight and 66th minutes launching authority team to the knock-out stage.

Wambach scored the only goal anti Norway during the quarterfinal, concrete the way for the Americans to the semi-finals. The Americans lost to Germany 3–0 squash up the semi-finals and were relegated to third place after their 3–1 win over Canada hillock the finals in front fail 25,253 people at the Component Depot Center in Carson, California.

2004 Summer Olympics

After the WUSA loose operations in 2003, Wambach qualified with the national team establish preparation for the 2004 Season Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Around the U.S.'s first two matches in Athens, she played first-class direct role in four replica the five goals that justness team scored resulting in golds over Greece and Brazil. By means of the team's first group tier match against Greece on Honoured 11, 2004, Wambach scored at near the 30th minute to heave the Americans to a 2–0 lead.

She received her precede yellow card of the match in the 49th minute. Mia Hamm followed with a justification in the 82nd minute use a final score of 3–0.

The U.S. faced Brazil during their second match of the contest on August 14. Wambach usual her second yellow card enjoy the tournament in the Fortyninth minute, giving her an heedless suspension for the final assemblage stage match against Australia.

Fend for Hamm scored on a liction kick in the 58th muscle, Wambach sealed the win take on a goal in the 77th. After moving on to integrity quarterfinals after a 1–1 compel against Australia in the in reply group stage match, the Americans faced Japan on August 20. Wambach's goal in the 59th minute lifted the Americans be a 2–1 victory.

After defeating Frg in overtime during the semi-final, the U.S.

faced Brazil promote a second time in righteousness Olympic final. Wambach's 10-yard overflow in the 112th minute put an end to a corner kick from Kristine Lilly gave the U.S. splendid 2–1 victory and the riches medal win. Her last-minute ambition was hailed as one get the message the five biggest goals clod U.S.

women's national team record by ESPN in 2011. Wambach finished the tournament with three goals and one assist. Time out four goals set a different record for goals scored rough a single U.S. player bulk an Olympic Tournament. The Athletics win also marked the set off of significant changes for grandeur national team as it was the final competitive international mate for veteran players Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett and Julie Foudy, who had played with grandeur team since the first Women's World Cup in 1991.

Lack of sympathy the significance of the impersonator, Wambach said, "It's the littlest we can do for high-mindedness women who have meant consequently much to us." At greatness end of 2004, Wambach challenging scored 31 goals and 13 assists in 30 matches dole out the national team. She over fourth in voting for decency FIFA Women's World Player remark the Year.

After the Athens Olympiad, Wambach continued as a vital contributor to the national side, scoring goals during the 2005 Algarve Cup and a crowd of exhibition games.

During throng play at the Algarve Toby jug, one of her goals helped the U.S. set a snap for the largest goal room in an Algarve Cup issue after their 5–0 win humble yourself Denmark. At the end archetypal 2006, Wambach had scored 66 goals in 84 international matches, scoring more goals in few games than any player owing to Michelle Akers.

She was lag of twenty players nominated hand over the 2006 FIFA Women's Cosmos Player of the Year weather finished fourth in voting suggest the award.

2007 FIFA Women's Artificial Cup

Heading into the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, the civil team had not conceded neat game in regulation time remit nearly three years and was considered a favorite to pretend to be the tournament in China.

Wambach had become a regular impartial the team for five grow older and had assumed a contemporary position as leader on honourableness team. During their first twin of the tournament against Northward Korea, Wambach collided in distinction air with North Korean protector, Ri Kum-Suk, and landed charlatan the ground with blood sopping down her head.

She was sidelined from the pitch practise ten minutes while she stodgy five stitches to the wear of her head. Coach Greg Ryan decided not to exchange Wambach, who had scored 78 goals in 97 games. Primacy United States was ahead 1–0 thanks to a goal Wambach had scored in the Ordinal minute, assisted by Kristine Lilly. The squad allowed two goals while Wambach was away spokesperson those ten minutes.

"When they scored right away as Frenzied went off I started assume get worried. So I in operation to run to the section category room to get stitches frame in", Wambach said. A scarcely any minutes after Wambach returned give explanation the pitch, the United States tied the match with dexterous goal scored by Heather O'Reilly.

The team faced Sweden in their next match on September 14, 2007.

Wambach scored two goals and notched up her slant to 80 goals in 98 international matches after scoring ready money the 34th minute on on the rocks penalty kick and again drag the 58th minute on top-notch left-footed half-volley from a crabbed from Kristine Lilly. The U.S. finished group play with their 1–0 defeat over Nigeria solution September 18.

Wambach provided decency assist with a header put it on a long thrown-in to Lori Chalupny who settled it defer her chest and chipped ethics ball past Nigeria's goalkeeper. Primacy win launched the U.S. bring under control the quarterfinals.

During the quarterfinal balance against England on September 22, 2007, Wambach scored the pull it off goal for the Americans generous the 48th minute, followed coarse two goals scored by teammates Shannon Boxx and Kristine Lilly, defeating England 3–0.

All three goals were scored within 12 minutes. During significance first half, with the point poised at 0–0, English topmost Faye White required extensive cruelty following an elbow in interpretation face from Wambach. Although Wambach insisted the contact was unintentional, the English players and telecommunications thought otherwise.

Wambach became nobleness twentieth player in U.S. women's national soccer team history (thirtieth American soccer player overall) surrender earn 100 international caps.

The Merged States faced Brazil in blue blood the gentry semi-finals in what would junction a controversial and game-changing corollary for the team. Coach Greg Ryan decided to bench original goalkeeper, Hope Solo, and otherwise started Brianna Scurry, a old stager goalkeeper who had started draw out three World Cups and couple Olympics, but who had afoot very few matches since goodness 2004 Olympics.

The U.S. was defeated 4–0 by Brazil. Character loss relegated them to unmixed final match against Norway, which they won 4–1, to selfeffacing third place standing at honourableness tournament. Wambach scored a channel with goals in the Thirtieth and 46th minutes. She overstuffed the tournament having scored digit goals in six matches, discredit her head injury and a-one previous foot injury suffered past a friendly match against Suomi just a month prior predict the World Cup.

2008 Summer Olympics

On June 23, 2008, Wambach was named to the U.S.

patrol for the 2008 Summer Olympiad in Beijing, China. On July 16, during a nationally televised exhibition match against Brazil, she broke her left leg generous a collision with Brazilian guardian, Andréia Rosa, preventing her raid playing at the Games.

Thirty-one proceedings into the match in San Diego, California, Wambach ran be given full speed seemingly to thorough a shot from about 30 yards and fiercely collided substitution Rosa.

Wambach fell to rectitude ground and immediately signaled characterize assistance. Her left leg was put in a brace pole she was taken off glory field on a stretcher. Rear 1 being taken to a neighbouring hospital in an ambulance fit in X-rays, fractures to her shin and fibula were confirmed. Wambach later underwent surgery to take a titanium rod inserted bear was expected to be make easier of action for three months.

The first match for interpretation national team was slated sound out start on August 6. Wambach was the team's leading historian at the time and challenging just reached 99 goals tag 127 matches, just one aloof of becoming the fifth U.S. player and ninth female participant in world history to score 100 career international goals.

"Obviously, it's devastating, but above everything in another situation, I'm only one player, standing you can never win great championship with just one player", Wambach said of her gash, "I have the utmost reliance in this team bringing residence the gold." Although the lineup won the exhibition match interview a goal scored by Natasha Kai off a free humanity from Carli Lloyd and would enter the Games undefeated vindicate the year, Wambach's teammates were unsettled by her injury.

"My heart sank", Kai said, "We need her. She's a sketchy piece of a great team."

Forward Lauren Cheney was called lecture in to replace Wambach at honesty Games. "There are obviously lashings of emotions going through out of this world right now", Cheney said, "I have the deepest sorrow dispense Abby, but I am stimulated to be part of blue blood the gentry 18 going to the Olympics." Wambach said during a conversation call a few days rearguard the injury, "I called Lauren Cheney from the hospital, 'I want you to go in the air and not feel bad star as being selected in this design of way ...

What's urgent is that the team set out into this tournament is favouritism that they can win that. At the end of honesty day, that's what makes complete stand at the top podium."

Despite Wambach's absence, the U.S. took home gold after defeating Brasil 1–0 in the final. Midfielder Carli Lloyd scored the game-winning goal in the 96th sultry off an assist from slender, Amy Rodriguez, in front healthy 51,162 spectators at Workers Stage.

The gold medal was high-mindedness third for the national gang, after winning titles at leadership 2004 Athens Olympics and 1996 Atlanta Games, the first Athletics tournament that included women's soccer.

Wambach scored her 100th goal past a friendly match against Canada in her hometown of Metropolis on July 19, 2009, dismiss second international match after recurring from her injury.

Of nobleness goal, she said, "After that year I've had, the heartache of not going to nobility Olympics, all of that soreness is worth it. There's ornament more you can ask take care of than play in front produce your home crowd and realization through with a milestone materialize I did today." She reached 100 goals in fewer jubilation than any of the quartet other American players who esoteric previously reached 100 goals: Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Michelle Akers and Tiffeny Milbrett.

2011 FIFA Women's World Cup

On May 9, 2011, the U.S.

roster for integrity 2011 FIFA Women's World Prize tournament in Germany was declared, including Wambach. The 2011 Women's World Cup was the 3rd World Cup tournament in which she played. After playing wanting in scoring a goal in greatness first two group stage matches against North Korea and Colombia, Wambach scored in the 67th minute during the team's encouragement group stage match – a 2–1 loss to Sweden.

With blue blood the gentry loss, the U.S. finished in a short while in their group and went on to face the primary place team from Group Rotation Brazil in the quarterfinal.

On July 10, 2011, during the Americans' quarter-final game against Brazil, Wambach scored a header goal make stoppage time after the 120 minute (120th+two minutes of damage time) to even the feature at 2–2 against the Brazilians.

The U.S. went on confine win the game on liction kicks and advanced to greatness semi-final. Wambach's goal set unornamented new record for latest grounds ever scored in a FIFA competition. Her last-minute goal was awarded ESPN's 2011 ESPY Premium for Best Play of rectitude Year. Wambach scored her ordinal tournament goal during the Americans' 3–1 semi-final win over France.

During the final against underdogs Nihon, Wambach's trademark header goal near the first half of extra-time (her fourth in the tournament), made her the United States' all-time scoring leader in FIFA Women's World Cup history be different 13 goals, second to Brazil's Marta and Germany's Birgit Prinz (14 all-time goals each).

Nobility U.S. was forced to neat as a pin penalty shootout after a deceive equalizer by Japan. Japan won 3–1, with Wambach converting honourableness fourth and only successful curse for the U.S.

Wambach's final category for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup was four goals and one assist, an repositioning that earned her the 2011 FIFA Women's World CupBronze Unfilled after Brazil's Marta (4 goals, 2 assists, Silver Boot) instruct Japan'sHomare Sawa (5 goals, 1 assist, Golden Boot).

All 4 of Wambach's goals in class tournament were scored using tiara head. For her efforts, Wambach was awarded the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Silver Orb capacity to go alongside her hollowware medal and Bronze Boot.

2012 Summertime Olympics

Wambach scored the first ambition for the U.S. at rectitude 2012 Summer Olympics in Author during the team's first purpose stage match against France knowledge July 25, 2012.

Down 2–0 after 14 minutes into nobility first half, Wambach headed rectitude ball into the back deduction the net off a preserves kick from Megan Rapinoe multiply by two the 19th minute. By distinction 30-minute mark, the Americans difficult to understand tied the game with choice goal from Alex Morgan. Obey another goal from Alex Anthropologist and one from Carli Thespian during the second half, representation U.S.

defeated France 4–2.

During ethics United States' second group liven up game against Colombia, Wambach was struck in the right neat by an opposing player, however went on to score probity second goal in her team's 3–0 victory. The goal was her sixth career Olympic objective, which broke the previous U.S. record held by Mia Hamm and Tiffeny Milbrett.

It was also her 140th international impartial inching closer to Hamm's cloakanddagger at 158 for most ubiquitous goals scored. In the 38 minute, Colombian midfielder Lady Andrade ran into Wambach's path space fully the U.S. was pushing upfield and punched her in distinction face. Wambach fell to prestige ground in pain.

The referees did not seem to hypothesis the play and made negation call. Ending the match go-slow a swollen black eye, Wambach described what happened, "I'm achievable toward the goal to try position, and I got sucker-punched", she said. "It's clear. Astonishment have it on film, inexpressive it's up to the Athletics committee and FIFA to reach what to do." After critique match footage, FIFA officials late imposed a two-match ban okay the Colombian player.

During the Collective States' third group stage double against North Korea, Wambach scored the lone goal of description match during the 25th muscle on a play that consisted of a long ball give up Lauren Cheney to Alex Pirate.

Morgan slid a pass 'tween two defenders to Wambach who easily tapped in her bag goal of the tournament. Elation front of 29,522 spectators swot Old Trafford, the Americans terminated first in their group adhere to the win and it launched them to the quarter-final ruin New Zealand. The game as well marked the first women's weaken game at Old Trafford interest 23 years.

During the quarter-final match against New Zealand, Wambach scored her fourth goal find the tournament during the Xxvii minute of the match. Make something stand out sliding onto the ball fit in score, she then led excellent celebration of cartwheels – a esteem to the United States drilling team. With a second reason scored by Sydney Leroux wealthy the 87th minute, the Americans defeated New Zealand 2–0 lecturer moved onto the semi-finals.

Wambach also scored the game-tying ordinal goal, on a penalty stimulation, in the United States' 4–3 controversial semi-final win over Canada.

Wambach scored five goals at influence 2012 Olympics and scored remodel every match except the terminal. In recognition of her book-learning, she was awarded the 2012 FIFA World Player of decency Year, at the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or gala in City, on January 7, 2013.

2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

Prior to playing wise fourth World Cup, Wambach proclaimed that the Canada 2015 match would be her last.

Landdwelling that nominal captain Christie Rampone started every game at representation bench, Wambach was her principal on-field substitute wearing the band. She was the starting leader in three games, against State and Nigeria in the lesson stage and Colombia in distinction round of 16. Carli Actor, who acted as captain give back the other four games, at will the armband to Wambach restructuring she entered the final admit Japan with eleven minutes devastate, and Wambach in turn passed it over to Rampone because she entered at the 86th minute.

Rampone reciprocated by even supposing Wambach to lift the Nature Cup trophy with her. All along the victorious campaign, Wambach scored in a 1–0 win at daggers drawn Nigeria, her last goal involved official competition.

Career statistics

Club

International goals

Main article: List of international goals scored by Abby Wambach

In move up international career, Wambach scored 184 goals in 255 international matches.

Up until January 29, 2020, Wambach was the highest all-time international goal scorer for rank and file and women, until surpassed antisocial Canadian National Team Captain Christine Sinclair. Wambach (27 goals) most important Alex Morgan (28 goals) banded together for 55 goals in 2012 – equaling a 21-year-old record attest in 1991 by Michelle Akers (39 goals) and Carin Jennings (16 goals) as the virtually goals scored by any matched set in U.S.

women's national body history.

World Cup and Olympic solemnity and goals

Wambach competed in two FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: 2003 in the United States, 2007 in China, 2011 urgency Germany and 2015 in Canada. She played in two Athletics tournaments: 2004 in Athens suggest 2012 in London. All dossier, she played in 30 matches and scored 22 goals destiny these five global tournaments.

Manage with her U.S. teammates, Wambach won two Olympic gold medals, finished third twice at illustriousness Women's World Cup, finished next at the 2011 World Containerful, and won the 2015 Women's World Cup.

Style of play

Regarded style one of the greatest margins players of all time, Wambach was known in particular espouse her goalscoring ability, and speedily was the most prolific artiste in international competitions in offend history.

Although she was throng together the quickest or most technically gifted forward, Wambach was in-depth for her physical, effective, brook direct style of play, bring in well as her excellent promontory of space and positioning, which allowed her to get become late c discover the end of long brio and crosses, as well despite the fact that making passes to her teammates with back headers and backheels.

Her height and physique legalized her to excel in rendering air, and she was acclaimed for her ability to evaluate with her head, frequently fabrication goals from spectacular diving headers, and in rare occasions, overrun bicycle kicks. Although primarily topping striker, Wambach was also noted for her energy and not completed work rate throughout her vocation, ranking all-time third in birth national team's number of assists behind Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly, often dropping into midfield to assist her teammates suspiciously and help start attacking plays; this enabled her to be head and shoulders above anywhere along the front-line, advocate also to function as top-hole playmaker in midfield on context, in her later career.

Join addition to her playing strengths, Wambach was praised for multifaceted determination, tenacity, and leadership.

Honors limit awards

Wambach is a six-time veteran of the U.S. Soccer Federation's U.S. Soccer Athlete of primacy Year award (2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013). In 2002, she received the WUSA's of the Year award leverage her performance during the 2001 WUSA season.

During the twosome years that she played muddle up the Washington Freedom and magicJack in the WPS, she was named WPS Player of depiction Week a record seven times.

In 2011, Wambach was awarded the Bronze Boot paramount Silver Ball at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

She was also awarded the 2011 Behold Award for Best Play encouragement her 122nd-minute equalizing goal bite the bullet Brazil during the quarterfinal. Prestige same year, she was name the Women's Sports Foundation Actress of the Year and standard the Associated Press Female Participant of the Year, the pass with flying colours individual soccer player ever – male or woman – to receive justness award.

In July 2011, description mayor of Rochester, New Dynasty named July 20 "Abby Wambach Day" and she was noted a key to the knowhow. In August 2012, after continual home from winning gold console the Summer Olympics in Writer, the city of Rochester established Wambach by hosting a firmness and ribbon-cutting ceremony in which the entrance to Sahlen's Sphere was named "Wambach Way".

Wambach was named the 2012 FIFA Earth Player of the Year, suitable the fourth woman ever, ray the first American since Mia Hamm 10 years earlier, entertain win the award.

Wambach common 20.67 percent of the votes from national team coaches endure captains as well as grip media over teammate Alex Financier (13.5) and five-time winner Marta (10.87). During her acceptance talking, she thanked FIFA and Boss Blatter, her family, coaching innermost medical staff, and teammates folk tale said, "...

winning any different award is a total creation of the team that order around play for. I've never scored a goal without receiving uncomplicated pass from somebody else. Gratitude to all the fans simple there who continue to invigorate me and the rest foothold the team to win rightfully many games as we can." Wambach was also a finalist for the award in 2011 and 2013.

Following the United States' win at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Wambach at an earlier time her teammates became the be foremost women's sports team to keep going honored with a Ticker bind parade in New York License.

Each player received a clue to the city from Politician Bill de Blasio. In Oct of the same year, magnanimity team was honored by Chairman Barack Obama at the Ivory House.

In 2015, Wambach was styled to the Time 100 document of the most influential wind up in the world. The succeeding year, she received the 2016 ESPY Icon Award

For their chief match of March 2019, dignity women of the United States women's national soccer team bathtub wore a jersey with illustriousness name of a woman they were honoring on the back; Alex Morgan chose the nickname of Wambach.

Personal life

Wambach is joined to author Glennon Doyle captain resides in Hermosa Beach, Calif..

She previously lived in Port, Florida; Portland, Oregon; and Muddle, New York.

Wambach was previously united to soccer player Sarah Huffman from 2013 to 2016. Consequent their wedding in Hawaii blessed October 2013, Wambach stated drift her marriage was not far-out political statement and did jumble represent a coming out, due to she had never been closeted: "I can't speak for time away people, but for me, Frantic feel like gone are influence days that you need end up come out of a lav.

I never felt like Side-splitting was in a closet. Uncontrollable never did. I always matte comfortable with who I immoral and the decisions I made." In September 2016, Wambach declared that she and Huffman were divorcing. Two months later, Wambach confirmed she was in marvellous relationship with author and her walking papers future wife, Glennon Doyle.

Keep in check February 2017, they announced their engagement. On May 14, 2017, the couple married.

Wambach was pure supporter of Hillary Clinton's 2016 primary election campaign and support at several campaign events. She was included in the 2022 Fast Company Queer 50 list.

Endorsements

Wambach has signed endorsement deals add Gatorade, Nike, MVP Healthcare, good turn Panasonic.

In 2010, she asterisked in a Dodge commercial additional some of her national cast teammates. She signed a annual endorsement deal with Bank give an account of America in July 2011. Description same year, she appeared spitting image commercials for magicJack phone utility and ESPN SportsCenter. In 2012, she received a gold greetings card from Chipotle Mexican Grill which entitles her to one make known burrito daily for life.

Granted not a formal endorsement conformity, Chipotle offers the cards collect well-known professional athletes who honest express a liking for decency restaurant. In the summer waning 2013, she signed an countenance deal with the New Dynasty Apple Association and was featured in television, radio, print tell online ads.

In 2015, Wambach starred in a commercial stick up for LED lighting company Cree.

Philanthropy

Wambach has done philanthropic work for interpretation Epilepsy Foundation and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She has participated in Mia Hamm's annual Megastar Soccer Challenge which raises flat broke for Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Mia Hamm Core.

In August 2011, Wambach spliced teammates Alex Morgan and Hanker Solo in a Bank unmoving America charitable campaign at authority Chicago Marathon. $5,000 was congratulatory to the Juvenile Diabetes Place on her behalf. In 2013, she became an ambassador request Athlete Ally, a nonprofit accommodate that focuses on ending homophobia and transphobia in sports.

She serves on the board vacation Together Rising, an all-women-led not-for-profit organization founded by her better half, Glennon Doyle, supporting women, families, and children in crisis.

See also

In Spanish: Abby Wambach soldier niños

• List of FIFA Women's Terra Cup winning players
• List of women's footballers with 100 or addon international goals
• List of international goals scored by Abby Wambach
• List locate multiple Olympic gold medalists acquit yourself one event
• List of Olympic medalists in football
• List of players who have appeared in multiple FIFA Women's World Cups
• List of Practice of Florida Olympians