Abby Wambach is one of the best athletes to wear the red, white and blue jersey. As she hangs up her cleats tonight, she leaves the world’s most popular sport as one of the best ever. Wambach owns numerous personal records and team accolades. She has won the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year six times and won multiple awards for her performance in the 2011 World Cup. That same year she became the first soccer player to be named Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, and she was the second United States soccer player to be named FIFA World Player of the Year. None of these awards are more important than the winning Women’s World Cup – it was the only one she had left before capping off an amazing career, and now she can check it off her list.
Abby Wambach’s international soccer career began back in 2001. She followed in the shadows of some of the greatest soccer stars to represent America such as Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy. Each of them finished their historic careers with two Olympic Gold Medals and they won the Women’s World Cup together in 1999. That was the second time the United States of America has won the Men’s or Women’s World Cup – until today.
The United States Women’s National team seems to always be elite, but have not had the success to make them happy. Back in 2011, the United States faced Brazil in the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup and were facing a one goal deficit with the remaining seconds ticking down in the extended time of overtime. Megan Rapinoe sent the ball flying across the eighteen yard box and it connected with Abby Wambach’s forehead – the next thing the ball hit was the back of the net. No goal has ever been scored later in a match. The U.S. ended up winning the game during penalty kicks.
The 2011 Women’s World Cup Final was a matchup of David vs. Goliath. The United States was heavy favorites against Japan. But as the game progressed, the score remained tied, and Japan seemed to gain momentum. The game was sent to overtime. Once again, Abby Wambach used her head to score, this time giving the U.S. a lead. However, the team allowed a late goal and ended up losing in penalty kicks. The devastation was obvious and the loss was felt by all, none more than Wambach. This loss motivated and drove her to the success she has had since.
This World Cup was different though. She knew, as did everyone, that it would be her last opportunity to win the one trophy that had eluded her. Then, Head Coach Jill Ellis informed her that Wambach would start the games from the sidelines. It’s unknown whether or not Abby Wambach agreed with Ellis’s decision but it didn’t matter. Wambach became the U.S. Women’s Soccer team’s biggest cheerleader.
Abby Wambach did not make her presence felt much on the field during the 2015 World Cup. But, ask any of those players, she possessed the heart and soul that carried this team. Her leadership never stopped. She may not have scored the goals for this team but this trophy can be credited to her as much as it could be anyone else.
Abby Wambach entered the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in the 79th minute to a roaring standing ovation. She stepped onto the field and received the captain’s armband. It was a special moment that will go down as one of the most memorable for her career and the U.S. victorious run to the championship. It was probably the final moments Wambach would spend representing her country and it capped off her career perfectly.
Abby Wambach’s passion for the game and the honor she had to represent this country never ended. Wambach’s individual honors and awards never superseded the team’s outcomes. Ask her, she will remember winning the 2015 World Cup more than any of the 183 international goals she’s scored (more than any other man or woman ever). Her devotion to this team is admirable and inspiring. Abby Wambach is the epitome of a team player and should be recognized for the sacrifices she made for the greater good. Congratulations Abby Wambach, you deserve to hold up this trophy more than anyone else.
