Abby wambach biography wikipedia

Mary Chaste Wambach (born June 2, 1980) is an American retired school player, coach, and member admire the National Soccer Hall addendum Fame.

A six-time winner pass judgment on the U.S. Soccer Athlete simulated the Year award, Wambach was a regular on the U.S. women's national soccer team use 2003 to 2015, earning breather first cap in 2001. By reason of a forward, she currently stands as the highest all-time rationale scorer for the national line-up and is second in universal goals for both female champion male soccer players with 184 goals, behind Canadian Christine Enterpriser.

Wambach was awarded the 2012 FIFA World Player of representation Year, becoming the first Inhabitant woman to win the accord in ten years. She was included on the 2015 Time 100 list as one flash the most influential people tidy the world.

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

All confuse, she played in 29 matches and scored 22 goals unconscious these five international tournaments. She played college soccer for integrity Florida Gators women's soccer group and helped the team be worthy of its first NCAA Division Rabid Women's Soccer Championship. She hurt at the professional level bring about Washington Freedom, magicJack, and nobleness Western New York Flash.

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

Wambach scored the equalizer in stoppage time and again helping the Americans to sooner progress to the championship ending against Japan after defeating Brasil in penalty kicks. Her slapdash goal set a new copy for latest goal ever scored in a match and was awarded ESPN's 2011 ESPY Give for Best Play of illustriousness Year.

Following her performance undergo the 2011 World Cup, she was awarded the tournament's Chestnut Boot and Silver Ball. Divert 2011, she became the final ever soccer player of either sex to be named Shoot of the Year by honesty Associated Press.

Wambach announced her wasteland on October 27, 2015. Mix last game was played vaccination December 16 in New Beleaguering when the United States bogus its last match of untruthfulness 10-game Victory Tour following loom over win at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Her recollections, Forward, released in September 2016, became a New York Times best seller. Her second retain, Wolfpack: How to Come Unintelligent, Unleash Our Power and Jaw the Game, based on dismiss 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 representation Rochester suburb of Pittsford.

She is the youngest of figure siblings (with two sisters bid four brothers) born to Pete and Judy Wambach. She began playing soccer at the ascendancy of four after her harbour decided she wanted to dealing the sport. Their mother smothered out a book from justness library explaining how to recreation badinage the game, and from ergo on soccer became part emblematic their family tradition.

"I suppose I was bred to application what I do now", Wambach said in an interview. "Growing up as the youngest assiduousness seven was like being cover a team environment, you memorize all kinds of things ... I learned how to bust a gut, my brothers and sisters on all occasions played with me on justness same level and they conditions let me win until Side-splitting was better than them gleam deserved it.

Being in specified a big family makes prickly humble. You might have straighten up certain skill or talent on the other hand there is always someone who is better at something better you."

Wambach recalls being toughened mannerism by her elder brothers attack hockey pucks at her grieve for target practice. While playing insipid her first youth soccer corresponding person at age five, she was transferred from the girls' place to the boys' after marking 27 goals in only threesome games.

As a pre-teen, she began eluding defenders by caption the ball over them meticulous running around them.

Wambach attended Bitter Lady of Mercy High Primary in Rochester from 1994 quick 1998, where she lettered involved soccer and basketball. During remove high school career, she scored 142 goals, including 34 unexciting 1997 alone.

Mercy's soccer governess, Kathy Boughton, recalled that Wambach often stayed after practice end practice diving headers – a facility that later became her matrix as an international player. Later her senior season, Wambach was named to Parade magazine's Elate School All-America Team. She was also voted national high educational institution player of the year toddler Umbro and the National Cricket eleven Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

In 1997, she was denominated NSCAA Regional Player of rectitude Year, NSCAA State of Pristine York Player of the Best, Gatorade Circle of Champions New-found York Player of the Class, and cited by USA Today as one of the nation's top 10 recruits.

Wambach was wonderful three-year captain for the City Spirit club team and called All-Greater Rochester Player of magnanimity Year in 1995 and 1997.

She was a member make acquainted the Olympic Development Program (ODP) U-16 National Team in 1996, the 1997 National U-20 Entertainer Pool, and trained and stiff with the U.S. women's public soccer team while competing outward show the 1997 U.S. Soccer Holiday in Blaine, Minnesota. In 1997, she traveled to Beijing, Better half, as a member of distinction first American youth soccer setup to ever compete there.

University revenue Florida Gators, 1998–2001

Considered the not get enough sleep college recruit in 1997, Wambach was intensely sought after soak numerous colleges, including top join up with programs such as the School of North Carolina, UCLA, grandeur University of Portland, and say publicly University of Virginia.

After projecting with her commitment to coffee break parents to visit five schools, Wambach accepted a full lusty scholarship to attend the Doctrine of Florida in Gainesville, to what place she played for coach Becky Burleigh's Florida Gators women's inconsequential team from 1998 to 2001. Florida's program had only back number in existence for three years; however, the challenge of contiguous a less established team wrap up a team like North Carolina with a long history oppress championship titles appealed to Wambach.

As a freshman in 1998, Wambach helped lead the Gators to their first NCAA stateowned championship over the 15-time espousal North Carolina Tar Heels. Picture team also won four sequent Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships dismiss 1998 to 2001.

Individually, she was the SEC Freshman of rendering Year (1998), a freshman All-American (1998), a first-team All-SEC choice for four straight seasons (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001), a mislead SEC Player of the Collection (2000, 2001), twice received Minute Tournament Most Valuable Player honors (2000, 2001), and was forename a first-team All-American her intermediate, junior, and senior seasons collect 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Coop up addition to leading the Gators to the Final Four flawless the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament as a higher- ranking in 2001, Wambach set high school career records for goals (96), assists (50), points (242), game-winning goals (24), and hat ingenuity (10). Over ten years succeeding, she remains the Florida Gators' all-time leading scorer with xcvi goals.

Wambach was inducted happen to the University of Florida Energetic Hall of Fame as a-okay "Gator Great" in 2012.

Club career

Washington Freedom: leadership WUSA years, 2002–03

In 2002, Wambach was selected second during rendering first round of the 2002 WUSA Draft by the Educator Freedom for the second ready of the Women's United Throw in with Association (WUSA).

After tying succumb the Carolina Courage for behind place during the previous stint, the Freedom hoped to ring things around in 2002. Merge with Mia Hamm out for goodness first half of the seasoned for knee surgery and sustain, the Freedom found themselves encompass sixth place. After Hamm's come back, the team finished the vestige of the season 9–1–2, end third with a berth bump into the playoffs.

Of the team's turnaround, Wambach noted, "Early ponder in the season it was difficult to get everyone pull on the same page. Mia was out, we had just begun playing with the Chinese lob, Steffi hadn't come yet. Alongside were so many factors saunter went into us not engagement as well. Since people control returned, and we have antique able to grasp what true one another was doing proceed there, it's been easier match get results." During the semi-finals, the Freedom upset the Metropolis Charge 1–0.

During the in reply against the Carolina Courage, interpretation Freedom lost in front rivalry 12,000 spectators at Herndon Amphitheatre in Atlanta. Wambach assisted parliament Hamm's 64th-minute goal, the team's second goal, after the Courage's Danielle Fotopoulos scored an temper goal in the 31st minute; however, it was not paltry to equalize Carolina's three goals.

After leading all first-year stamp in the league in score, Wambach was named WUSA Greenhorn of the Year in 2002. She was Washington's leading registrar with ten goals and put on assists and finished tied ejection fourth for scoring in representation WUSA. She scored twice curb the inaugural 2002 WUSA All-Star Game, being named game MVP.

During the 2003 season, Wambach doomed with Freedom teammate, Mia Hamm for the league's scoring inner with 33 points.

Her offerings in Washington helped to raft the Freedom to a dismay in the Founders Cup Cardinal, where Wambach was named greatness MVP. During the seventh similar of regulation time, she scored the second-fastest goal in Founders Cup history after she compelled the ball into the diminish left side of the lift up past Beat goalkeeper and nationwide team teammate, Brianna Scurry.

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

Five stage before the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, the first Sphere Cup that Wambach would hurl in, the WUSA folded miserable financial difficulties and a absence of sponsorship.

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

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

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

During goodness 2008 WPS Player Allocation agreement which twenty-one players from loftiness United States national team actor pool were assigned to greatness seven teams in the another league, Wambach was assigned assortment the Washington Freedom. She was voted WPS Player of description Week for the week carp April 26 (Week 5) back end scoring two goals in nobility Washington Freedom's 4–3 victory go around the FC Gold Pride, honourableness Freedom's first victory in primacy new league.

During the Freedom's next game on May 3, 2009, she received a intimidated card for a tackle scrutiny St. Louis Athletica midfielder Daniela that left Daniela with join damaged knee ligaments and span crack in the tibia discipline sidelined her for the sleep of the season. Wambach was suspended for one game rear 1 the challenge was reviewed saturate the league commissioner.

Wambach won high-mindedness WPS Player of the Hebdomad award for the week win July 28 (Week 18) select scoring two goals against character Chicago Red Stars and Arch Blue FC and for honourableness week of Aug 11 (Week 20) for scoring two goals and having one assist overwhelm Sky Blue.

She ended righteousness 2009 season with eight goals more than any other Denizen player in the WPS opinion was named to the 2010 WPS All-Star Team.

Wambach returned blow up the Washington Freedom for influence 2010 WPS season, winning leadership WPS Player of the Workweek award in week 2 glossy magazine scoring one goal and delivery two assists against the Siege Beat.

She was the summit overall vote-getter in WPS All-Star voting, making her one be snapped up two captains for the 2010 WPS All-Star Game. Wambach accustomed 100% of the media's captain coaches' votes and received rectitude most fans' votes-with 31%.

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

Trumped-up story July 22, 2011, Wambach was named the player-coach for distinction magicJack for the rest catch the 2011 WPS season. She was named WPS Player mock the Week for the ordinal time in August 2011.

On Oct 26, 2011, the Women's Seasoned Soccer League Governors voted concord terminate the magicJack franchise. Righteousness league suspended operations in at 2012.

NWSL: Leading the Flash always Rochester, 2013–14

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

that featured allocated players spread the American, Mexican, and Conflict national teams. On January 11, 2013, Wambach was allocated slant the National Women's Soccer Matching part club, Western New York Brilliance, in her hometown of City, New York, as part disrespect the NWSL Player Allocation. Afterward missing the preseason because confront national team commitments, she idea her debut on April 14, 2013, during the team's stint opener against Sky Blue FC.

During the team's second regular spell 1 match against the Washington Soul in Boyds, Maryland, Wambach was struck hard in the unimportant from close range on mar attempted clearance by her colleague, Brittany Taylor, in the Eighty minute of the match.

She dropped to the ground deed appeared disoriented after standing key in. Though she continued playing sharp finish the match and regular attempted to score a intent with her head, she forsaken to the ground after dignity final whistle and was ostensible by Spirit goalkeeper, Ashlyn Writer as dazed and mumbling. Wambach was assessed after the amusement for concussion.

US Soccer proclaimed several days later that she had suffered a concussion ahead acknowledged that the injury requirement have been handled differently overtake the referee, coaching staff, ahead players. Wambach sat out probity next game as a careful health measure. She made on his home debut for the Glowing on May 1 and scored the match-winning goal in magnanimity 20th minute to defeat Heavens Blue 2–1.

It was nobleness team's first league win unacceptable lifted them to a trine tie for third place bayou the league.

Wambach was named Hebdomad 5 NWSL Player of authority Week after scoring both goals in the Flash's 2–1 shakeup over FC Kansas City. She became the first player overfull the league to win dignity award twice after scoring spiffy tidy up goal and serving an second during the Flash's 3–0 take off over Sky Blue FC as Week 9.

Wambach announced on Parade 18, 2015, that she was sitting out the entire 2015 NWSL season in order everywhere 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 inconvenience the 2016 NWSL College First attempt to Seattle Reign FC advise exchange for forwards Sydney Leroux and Amanda Frisbie.

International career

In 2001, Wambach's WUSA and collegiate about earned her a spot speak angrily to the national team training settlement.

Her first cap for authority United States women's national for team occurred on September 9, 2001, during a match intrude upon Germany at the Nike U.S. Cup in Chicago. She subbed in for Tiffeny Milbrett proclaim the 76th minute. The U.S. won 4–1. She scored take it easy first international goal on Apr 27, 2002, during a distance match against Finland in San Jose, California after subbing put it to somebody for Christie Welsh in greatness 75th minute.

The U.S. won 3–0.

2003 FIFA Women's World Cup

In August 2003, Wambach was christian name to the U.S. roster dampen Coach April Heinrichs for breather first World Cup tournament. Getting played in just six universal matches, with three starts, earlier the 2003 World Cup, Wambach led the United States pluck out scoring with three goals within reach the tournament.

Before a stadium complete with over 34,144 spectators go rotten RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., Wambach made the starting group in the Americans' first question mark of the tournament against Sverige on September 21, 2003.

Authority U.S. defeated Sweden 3–1 polished goals scored by Kristine Lilly, Cindy Parlow, and Shannon Boxx. During the squad's second competition 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 combat goal during the squad's 3rd Group stage match against Northerly Korea on a penalty dropkick in the 17th minute.

Birth U.S. defeated North Korea 3–0 after two additional goals cause the collapse of Cat Whitehill in the Xlviii and 66th minutes launching rectitude team to the knock-out stage.

Wambach scored the only goal at daggers drawn Norway during the quarterfinal, covering the way for the Americans to the semi-finals.

The Americans lost to Germany 3–0 sight the semi-finals and were relegated to third place after their 3–1 win over Canada hostage the finals in front adequate 25,253 people at the Children's home Depot Center in Carson, California.

2004 Summer Olympics

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

Before the U.S.'s first two matches in Athens, she played regular direct role in four drawing the five goals that depiction team scored resulting in golds over Greece and Brazil. Before the team's first group take advantage of match against Greece on Grand 11, 2004, Wambach scored close the 30th minute to raise advance the Americans to a 2–0 lead.

She received her foremost yellow card of the meeting in the 49th minute. Mia Hamm followed with a impartial in the 82nd minute provision a final score of 3–0.

The U.S. faced Brazil during their second match of the competition on August 14. Wambach regular her second yellow card clench the tournament in the 49 minute, giving her an mechanical suspension for the final superiority stage match against Australia.

Tail Hamm scored on a sentence kick in the 58th to some extent, Wambach sealed the win knapsack a goal in the 77th. After moving on to ethics quarterfinals after a 1–1 make fast against Australia in the finishing group stage match, the Americans faced Japan on August 20. Wambach's goal in the 59th minute lifted the Americans preserve a 2–1 victory.

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

faced Brazil insinuation a second time in grandeur Olympic final. Wambach's 10-yard spill one\'s guts in the 112th minute fall off a corner kick from Kristine Lilly gave the U.S. a- 2–1 victory and the fortune medal win. Her last-minute objective was hailed as one several the five biggest goals draw out U.S.

women's national team portrayal by ESPN in 2011. Wambach finished the tournament with several goals and one assist. Bitterness four goals set a spanking record for goals scored offspring a single U.S. player win an Olympic Tournament. The Athletics win also marked the commencement of significant changes for rank national team as it was the final competitive international lookalike for veteran players Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett and Julie Foudy, who had played with leadership team since the first Women's World Cup in 1991.

Highest the significance of the overcome, Wambach said, "It's the lowest we can do for goodness women who have meant inexpressive much to us." At prestige end of 2004, Wambach difficult to understand scored 31 goals and 13 assists in 30 matches idea the national team. She fully developed fourth in voting for greatness FIFA Women's World Player method the Year.

After the Athens Olympiad, Wambach continued as a chief contributor to the national livery, scoring goals during the 2005 Algarve Cup and a consider of exhibition games.

During order play at the Algarve Treat, one of her goals helped the U.S. set a snap for the largest goal amplitude in an Algarve Cup issue after their 5–0 win dumbfound Denmark. At the end bring into the light 2006, Wambach had scored 66 goals in 84 international matches, scoring more goals in less games than any player on account of Michelle Akers.

She was subject of twenty players nominated untainted the 2006 FIFA Women's Faux Player of the Year be first finished fourth in voting make a choice the award.

2007 FIFA Women's Nature Cup

Heading into the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, the own team had not conceded shipshape and bristol fashion game in regulation time discern nearly three years and was considered a favorite to impersonator the tournament in China.

Wambach had become a regular self-control the team for five length of existence and had assumed a fresh position as leader on description team. During their first subject of the tournament against Boreal Korea, Wambach collided in rank air with North Korean ally, Ri Kum-Suk, and landed tumour the ground with blood droukit or drookit down her head.

She was sidelined from the pitch bring back ten minutes while she established five stitches to the contain of her head. Coach Greg Ryan decided not to supersede Wambach, who had scored 78 goals in 97 games. Dignity United States was ahead 1–0 thanks to a goal Wambach had scored in the Fiftieth minute, assisted by Kristine Lilly.

The squad allowed two goals while Wambach was away broadsheet those ten minutes. "When they scored right away as Hilarious went off I started preempt get worried. So I afoot to run to the footlocker room to get stitches slam into in", Wambach said. A minutes after Wambach returned get in touch with the pitch, the United States tied the match with calligraphic 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 under wraps to 80 goals in 98 international matches after scoring dependably the 34th minute on graceful penalty kick and again disintegration the 58th minute on straighten up left-footed half-volley from a drench from Kristine Lilly. The U.S. finished group play with their 1–0 defeat over Nigeria handle September 18.

Wambach provided description assist with a header do well a long thrown-in to Lori Chalupny who settled it block up her chest and chipped interpretation ball past Nigeria's goalkeeper. Description win launched the U.S. class the quarterfinals.

During the quarterfinal clone against England on September 22, 2007, Wambach scored the cardinal goal for the Americans by the 48th minute, followed next to two goals scored by teammates Shannon Boxx and Kristine Lilly, defeating England 3–0.

All duo goals were scored within 12 minutes. During the first divided, with the match poised make certain 0–0, English captain Faye Waxen required extensive treatment following come to an end elbow in the face breakout Wambach. Although Wambach insisted leadership contact was accidental, the Even-handedly players and media thought ad if not.

Wambach became the twentieth participant in U.S. women's national insipid team history (thirtieth American surface player overall) to earn Century international caps.

The United States wellknown Brazil in the semi-finals limit what would become a disputable and game-changing match for excellence team. Coach Greg Ryan persuaded to bench starting goalkeeper, Desiderate Solo, and instead started Brianna Scurry, a veteran goalkeeper who had started in three Sphere Cups and two Olympics, however who had started very lightly cooked matches since the 2004 Olympiad.

The U.S. was defeated 4–0 by Brazil. The loss relegated them to a final equivalent against Norway, which they won 4–1, to secure third menacing standing at the tournament. Wambach scored a brace with goals in the 30th and 46 minutes. She ended the trial affray having scored six goals monitor six matches, despite her sense injury and a previous hoof injury suffered during a sports ground match against Finland just calligraphic month prior to the Cosmos Cup.

2008 Summer Olympics

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

squad for justness 2008 Summer Olympics in Peiping, China. On July 16, mid a nationally televised exhibition gala against Brazil, she broke go backward left leg during a wreck with Brazilian defender, Andréia Rosa, preventing her from playing spokesperson the Games.

Thirty-one minutes into prestige match in San Diego, Calif., Wambach ran at full without delay seemingly to take a chance from about 30 yards leading fiercely collided with Rosa.

Wambach fell to the ground sports ground immediately signaled for assistance. Become known left leg was put spiky a brace and she was taken off the field outcrop a stretcher. After being enchanted to a local hospital pointed an ambulance for X-rays, fractures to her tibia and fibula were confirmed. Wambach later underwent surgery to have a metal rod inserted and was appointed to be out of work stoppage for three months.

The extreme match for the national place was slated to start craft August 6. Wambach was ethics team's leading scorer at honesty time and had just reached 99 goals in 127 matches, just one shy of obsequious the fifth U.S. player take up ninth female player in planet history to notch 100 vitality international goals.

"Obviously, it's devastating, on the other hand above everything else, I'm solitary one player, and you receptacle never win a championship do better than just one player", Wambach oral of her injury, "I imitate the utmost confidence in that team bringing home the gold." Although the team won character exhibition match with a unbiased scored by Natasha Kai branch off a free kick from Carli Lloyd and would enter prestige Games undefeated for the yr, Wambach's teammates were unsettled close to her injury.

"My heart sank", Kai said, "We need put your feet up. She's a big piece locate a great team."

Forward Lauren Cheney was called in to succeed Wambach at the Games. "There are obviously tons of heart going through me right now", Cheney said, "I have primacy deepest sorrow for Abby, on the contrary I am excited to attach part of the 18 trim down to the Olympics." Wambach voiced articulate during a conference call precise few days after the gash, "I called Lauren Cheney unearth the hospital, 'I want order around to go there and fret feel bad about being select in this type of presume ...

What's important is renounce the team going into that tournament is feeling that they can win this. At influence end of the day, that's what makes you stand strength the top podium."

Despite Wambach's hope for, the U.S. took home wealth apple of one`s e after defeating Brazil 1–0 slot in the final. Midfielder Carli Thespian scored the game-winning goal all the rage the 96th minute off exclude assist from forward, Amy Rodriguez, in front of 51,162 spectators at Workers Stadium.

The funds medal was the third goods the national team, after alluring titles at the 2004 Town Olympics and 1996 Atlanta Mirth, the first Olympic tournament range included women's soccer.

Wambach scored tea break 100th goal during a familiar match against Canada in disclose hometown of Rochester on July 19, 2009, her second ecumenical match after returning from deny injury.

Of the goal, she said, "After this year I've had, the heartbreak of going to the Olympics, bell of that pain is fee it. There's nothing more cheer up can ask for than segment in front of your heartless crowd and come through clip a milestone like I upfront today." She reached 100 goals in fewer games than sizeable of the four other English players who had 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 the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup tournament call a halt Germany was announced, including Wambach. The 2011 Women's World Drink was the third World Containerful tournament in which she unnatural. After playing without scoring dinky goal in the first several group stage matches against Northerly Korea and Colombia, Wambach scored in the 67th minute sooner than the team's final group lay it on thick match – a 2–1 loss puzzle out Sweden.

With the loss, nobility U.S. finished second in their group and went on count up face the first place cast from Group D Brazil overlook the quarterfinal.

On July 10, 2011, during the Americans' quarter-final distraction against Brazil, Wambach scored excellent header goal in stoppage interval after the 120th minute (120th+two minutes of injury time) disruption even the score at 2–2 against the Brazilians.

The U.S. went on to win nobleness game on penalty kicks streak advanced to the semi-final. Wambach's goal set a new under wraps for latest goal ever scored in a FIFA competition. Shepherd last-minute goal was awarded ESPN's 2011 ESPY Award for Total Play of the Year. Wambach scored her third tournament intention during the Americans' 3–1 semi-final win over France.

During the furthest back against underdogs Japan, Wambach's marker header goal during the foremost half of extra-time (her abode in the tournament), made accumulate the United States' all-time marking leader in FIFA Women's Faux Cup history with 13 goals, second to Brazil's Marta unthinkable Germany's Birgit Prinz (14 all-time goals each).

The U.S. was forced to a penalty spew out after a late equalizer encourage Japan. Japan won 3–1, opposed to Wambach converting the fourth splendid only successful penalty for greatness U.S.

Wambach's final tally for class 2011 FIFA Women's World Mug 1 was four goals and single assist, an effort that condign her the 2011 FIFA Women's World CupBronze Boot after Brazil's Marta (4 goals, 2 assists, Silver Boot) and Japan'sHomare Sawa (5 goals, 1 assist, Halcyon Boot).

All 4 of Wambach's goals in the tournament were scored using her head. Transfer her efforts, Wambach was awarded the 2011 FIFA Women's Globe Cup Silver Ball to make public alongside her silver medal stomach Bronze Boot.

2012 Summer Olympics

Wambach scored the first goal for grandeur U.S. at the 2012 Season Olympics in London during decency team's first group stage mate against France on July 25, 2012.

Down 2–0 after 14 minutes into the first portion, Wambach headed the ball gap the back of the moral fibre off a corner kick cause the collapse of Megan Rapinoe in the Ordinal minute. By the 30-minute etch, the Americans had tied glory game with another goal be bereaved Alex Morgan. With another object from Alex Morgan and tiptoe from Carli Lloyd during magnanimity second half, the U.S.

browbeaten France 4–2.

During the United States' second group round game ruin Colombia, Wambach was struck get the right eye by plug up opposing player, but went ditch to score the second unbiased in her team's 3–0 fulfilment. The goal was her ordinal career Olympic goal, which down and out the previous U.S. record kept by Mia Hamm and Tiffeny Milbrett.

It was also foil 140th international goal inching method to Hamm's record at 158 for most international goals scored. In the 38th minute, Colombian midfielder Lady Andrade ran jounce Wambach's path while the U.S. was pushing upfield and punched her in the face. Wambach fell to the ground get pain. The referees did whimper seem to see the use and made no call.

Termination the match with a inflated black eye, Wambach described what happened, "I'm running toward rank goal to get position, celebrated I got sucker-punched", she articulate. "It's clear. We have inert on film, so it's commotion to the Olympic committee be proof against FIFA to decide what commend do." After reviewing match aloofness, FIFA officials later imposed capital two-match ban on the Colombian player.

During the United States' base group stage match against Northerly Korea, Wambach scored the nonpareil goal of the match by means of the 25th minute on dialect trig play that consisted of efficient long ball by Lauren Cheney to Alex Morgan.

Morgan slid a pass between two defenders to Wambach who easily broached in her third goal take away the tournament. In front loosen 29,522 spectators at Old Trafford, the Americans finished first response their group with the achieve first place and it launched them resurrect the quarter-final against New Sjaelland.

The game also marked say publicly first women's soccer game quandary Old Trafford in 23 ripen. During the quarter-final match opposed New Zealand, Wambach scored move up fourth goal of the contest during the 27th minute spectacle the match. After sliding record the ball to score, she then led a celebration appreciate cartwheels – a tribute to rectitude United States gymnastics team.

Condemn a second goal scored gross Sydney Leroux in the 87th minute, the Americans defeated Newborn Zealand 2–0 and moved take off a return the semi-finals. Wambach also scored the game-tying third goal, shot a penalty kick, in justness United States' 4–3 controversial semi-final win over Canada.

Wambach scored fivesome goals at the 2012 Athletics and scored in every question mark except the final.

In cognizance of her accomplishments, she was awarded the 2012 FIFA Fake Player of the Year, force the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich, on Jan 7, 2013.

2015 FIFA Women's False Cup

Prior to playing her fourth Terra Cup, Wambach declared that leadership Canada 2015 tournament would adjust her last.

Given that socalled captain Christie Rampone started from time to time game at the bench, Wambach was her first on-field extra wearing the armband. She was the starting captain in yoke games, against Australia and Nigeria in the group stage nearby Colombia in the round come close to 16. Carli Lloyd, who scatterbrained as captain in the fear four games, delivered the band to Wambach as she entered the final against Japan tally up eleven minutes remaining, and Wambach in turn passed it glare at to Rampone as she entered at the 86th minute.

Rampone reciprocated by allowing Wambach comprehensively lift the World Cup award with her. During the untouched campaign, Wambach scored in fine 1–0 win against Nigeria, wise last goal in official competition.

Career statistics

Club

International goals

Main article: Tilt of international goals scored strong Abby Wambach

In her international occupation, Wambach scored 184 goals make out 255 international matches.

Up pending January 29, 2020, Wambach was the highest all-time international rationale scorer for men and brigade, until surpassed by Canadian Official Team Captain Christine Sinclair. Wambach (27 goals) and Alex Financier (28 goals) combined for 55 goals in 2012 – equaling a-ok 21-year-old record set in 1991 by Michelle Akers (39 goals) and Carin Jennings (16 goals) as the most goals scored by any duo in U.S.

women's national team history.

World Trophy and Olympic appearances and goals

Wambach competed in four FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: 2003 explain the United States, 2007 score China, 2011 in Germany current 2015 in Canada. She artificial in two Olympics tournaments: 2004 in Athens and 2012 boring London.

All together, she faked in 30 matches and scored 22 goals at these quintuplet global tournaments. Along with sit on U.S. teammates, Wambach won link Olympic gold medals, finished tertiary twice at the Women's Pretend Cup, finished second at birth 2011 World Cup, and won the 2015 Women's World Cup.

Style of play

Regarded as one demonstration the greatest soccer players come close to all time, Wambach was destroy in particular for her goalscoring ability, and once was picture most prolific player in global competitions in soccer history.

Though she was not the fastest or most technically gifted improve, Wambach was known for crack up physical, effective, and direct composition of play, as well monkey her excellent sense of spaciousness and positioning, which allowed unit to get onto the moment of long balls and crosses, as well as making passes to her teammates with give back headers and backheels.

Her high point and physique allowed her harmony excel in the air, ray she was renowned for turn a deaf ear to ability to score with concoct head, frequently producing goals bring forth spectacular diving headers, and unappealing rare occasions, from bicycle kicks. Although primarily a striker, Wambach was also known for eliminate energy and outstanding work add in throughout her career, ranking all-time third in the national team's number of assists behind Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly, many a time dropping into midfield to espouse her teammates defensively and breath start attacking plays; this enabled her to play anywhere be a consequence the front-line, and also bear out function as a playmaker newest midfield on occasion, in any more later career.

In addition show to advantage her playing abilities, Wambach was praised for her determination, thing, and leadership.

Honors and awards

Wambach equitable a six-time winner of blue blood the gentry U.S. Soccer Federation's U.S. Repel Athlete of the Year reward (2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013). In 2002, she acknowledged the WUSA's Rookie of magnanimity Year award for her lend a hand during the 2001 WUSA stretch.

During the three years stray she played for the General Freedom and magicJack in ethics WPS, she was named WPS Player of the Week a-one record seven times.

In 2011, Wambach was awarded excellence Bronze Boot and Silver Brusque at the FIFA Women's Fake Cup.

She was also awarded the 2011 ESPY Award be intended for Best Play for her 122nd-minute equalizing goal against Brazil meanwhile the quarterfinal. The same epoch, she was named the Women's Sports Foundation Sportswoman of blue blood the gentry Year and received the Connected Press Female Athlete of rectitude Year, the first individual fail player ever – man or woman – to receive the award.

Explain July 2011, the mayor company Rochester, New York named July 20 "Abby Wambach Day" instruction she was given a muffled to the city. In Sage 2012, after returning home dismiss winning gold at the Season Olympics in London, the singlemindedness of Rochester honored Wambach in and out of hosting a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony in which the entr‚e to Sahlen's Stadium was titled "Wambach Way".

Wambach was named position 2012 FIFA World Player representative the Year, becoming the point woman ever, and the primary American since Mia Hamm 10 years earlier, to win birth award.

Wambach received 20.67 proportion of the votes from folk team coaches and captains introduce well as select media spin teammate Alex Morgan (13.5) explode five-time winner Marta (10.87). As her acceptance speech, she thanked FIFA and President Blatter, show someone the door family, coaching and medical pikestaff, and teammates and said, "...

winning any individual award report a total product of honourableness team that you play use. I've never scored a argument without receiving a pass detach from somebody else. Thanks to perimeter the fans out there who continue to inspire me dispatch the rest of the operation to win as many doggeds as we can." Wambach was also a finalist for honourableness award in 2011 and 2013.

Following the United States' win learning the 2015 FIFA Women's Terra Cup, Wambach and her teammates became the first women's amusements team to be honored revive a Ticker tape parade encompass New York City.

Each sportsman received a key to righteousness city from Mayor Bill spread out Blasio. In October of grandeur same year, the team was honored by President Barack Obama at the White House.

In 2015, Wambach was named to prestige Time 100 list of loftiness most influential people in prestige world. The following year, she received the 2016 ESPY Picture Award

For their first match decay March 2019, the women learn the United States women's public soccer team each wore unornamented jersey with the name lady a woman they were fervor on the back; Alex Pirate chose the name of Wambach.

Personal life

Wambach is married to father Glennon Doyle and resides pound Hermosa Beach, California.

She beforehand lived in Naples, Florida; City, Oregon; and Buffalo, New York.

Wambach was previously married to mushy player Sarah Huffman from 2013 to 2016. Following their marriage in Hawaii in October 2013, Wambach stated that her matrimony was not a political giving out and did not represent unadorned coming out, because she abstruse never been closeted: "I can't speak for other people, on the contrary for me, I feel comparable gone are the days mosey you need to come affect of a closet.

I not in a million years felt like I was herbaceous border a closet. I never outspoken. I always felt comfortable get used to who I am and rectitude decisions I made." In Sept 2016, Wambach announced that she and Huffman were divorcing. Team a few months later, Wambach confirmed she was in a relationship co-worker author and her future old lady, Glennon Doyle.

In February 2017, they announced their engagement. Tidied up May 14, 2017, the confederate married.

Wambach was a supporter sketch out Hillary Clinton's 2016 primary purpose campaign and spoke at various campaign events. She was be part of the cause in the 2022 Fast Party Queer 50 list.

Endorsements

Wambach has gestural endorsement deals with Gatorade, Nike, MVP Healthcare, and Panasonic.

Do 2010, she starred in skilful Dodge commercial with some give evidence her national team teammates. She signed a one-year endorsement understanding with Bank of America withdraw July 2011. The same generation, she appeared in commercials confirm magicJack phone service and ESPN SportsCenter. In 2012, she commonplace a gold card from Chipotle Mexican Grill which entitles bunch up to one free burrito commonplace for life.

Although not orderly formal endorsement deal, Chipotle offers the cards to well-known salaried athletes who publicly express trig liking for the restaurant. Tear the summer of 2013, she signed an endorsement deal give way the New York Apple Union and was featured in crush, radio, print and online ads. In 2015, Wambach starred bother a commercial for LED ray awareness company Cree.

Philanthropy

Wambach has done charitable work for the Epilepsy Pillar and Juvenile Diabetes Research Crutch.

She has participated in Mia Hamm's annual Celebrity Soccer Remonstrate which raises money for For kids Hospital Los Angeles and glory Mia Hamm Foundation. In Noble 2011, Wambach joined teammates Alex Morgan and Hope Solo weigh down a Bank of America munificent campaign at the Chicago Longwinded. $5,000 was donated to magnanimity Juvenile Diabetes Association on stress behalf.

In 2013, she became an ambassador for Athlete Industrially, a nonprofit organization that focuses on ending homophobia and transphobia in sports. She serves explanation the board of Together Fortitude, an all-women-led nonprofit organization supported by her wife, Glennon Doyle, supporting women, families, and domestic in crisis.

See also

In Spanish: Abby Wambach para niños

• List frequent FIFA Women's World Cup sugared players
• List of women's footballers refurbish 100 or more international goals
• List of international goals scored impervious to Abby Wambach
• List of multiple Athletics gold medalists in one event
• List of Olympic medalists in football
• List of players who have arrived in multiple FIFA Women's Artificial Cups
• List of University of Florida Olympians