Coach Ryan Congratulates Former Player Abby Wambach

But apart from being direct, Wambach is in a unique situation that allows her to criticize Klinsmann and there isn’t a reason to justify discrediting her. As far as we know, Wambach doesn’t have a personal vendetta against Klinsmann unlike Donovan could have (given Donovan was left off of the World Cup team).

And if you’re USA national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann, best look away now.

“Oh man, I would definitely fire Jurgen”, said Wambach, who is worldwide soccer’s all-time leading scorer with 184 goals.

I will always appreciate your leadership in guiding and developing our very young U.S. National Team after the retirement of Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, and Brandi Chastain in 2004.

Sinclair, who played collegiately at University of Portland, can move into sole possession of second place with a goal in Canada’s game against Brazil on Wednesday.

One of Wambach’s signature header goals came in the 2011 World Cup.

The 35-year-old forward boasts a remarkable soccer career, with two Olympic gold medals, a World Cup victory, and the title of FIFA’s World Player of the Year in 2012. Wednesday was one last chance to watch a player unlike any we’ve ever seen, give our goodbyes and reflect on the greatness she brought soccer in America. “Sorry Sunil (Gulati, president of the U.S. Soccer Federation.) Sorry U.S. Soccer, but I don’t think Jürgen and the litmus test on him has worked”. There can be no doubt that Wednesday marked the final performance on the world stage of a giant in her sport.

That is quite the the stance to take on the state of USA soccer, but at least Wambach is making her point known with a powerful position.

Coach Jill Ellis summed up the feelings of many in U.S women’s soccer.

It was apparent from the outset that the Americans’ plan of attack was based in part on sending high crosses into the penalty area in hopes of connecting with Wambach for one of her trademark headers. It would be better if we had won, but the reality is I played in so many games this result doesn’t shape or determine or define my career. Her teammates, who refer to Abby as the GOAT (greatest of all time), have already started sharing farewell messages – many of them filled with tears.

Her career is winding down from those iconic moments, but she will likely be looking for that 185th goal to add to her resume tonight. More shocking, each men’s team eliminated in the first round of the 2014 Cup got $8 million, four times as much as the 2015 women’s champions.