Abby Wambach Says ‘Forget Me,’ But Her Historic Legacy Won’t Quit

It would be easy to argue that Abby Wambach is bigger than the game of soccer.

The match put a cap on a 14-year career that saw Wambach play for her country 255 times and score 184 worldwide goals, more than any man or woman in the history of global soccer.

USA team officials said Wambach, who was named captain for her final game, would not play the full 90 minutes Wednesday but it was unclear at what point she would take her last curtain call on the worldwide stage. She brought a World Cup back to the United States of America, and on top of that, she never apologized for who she is and what she stands for.

Wambach’s most provocative criticisms dealt with Klinsmann’s efforts to recruit players born, raised and trained elsewhere and have them play for the U.S. While the legend had a few chances, she and the team came up empty.

“I use my voice because I know that when you’re the youngest at the dinner table, the loudest person gets heard”. Some of those friends, including Tom Hanks, Tiger Woods and Mia Hamm, expressed their admiration and support for Wambach and the positive impact she’s had on their lives after she announced her retirement.

“I think the thing I’m taking most away form this game is how much and how into getting me goals my teammates were”, Wambach said.

The Americans almost tied China in the 87th minute when Lindsey Horan beat goalkeeper Zhao Lina, but Horan was ruled just a step offside when she received the pass from Christen Press. As she bids her soccer career adieu, Wambach leaves the field with strong opinions about the state of American soccer.

Wambach, 35, has had a very successful career. Wambach described them as “foreign players”, and cited Jermaine Jones and Fabian Johnson as examples. I feel the men get paid way more than the women in soccer, yeah, I understand logically the argument about the ratings and that is more global.

Before a raucous crowd at the Superdome in New Orleans, where the US took on China in a friendly, Wambach made an emotional farewell. Although he says he has, I don’t think that he has.

PARTING NOTE: Wednesday marked the end of a nine-match, cross-country tour meant to celebrate the U.S.’s World Cup victory. This team is going to miss her so much.

“Oh man, I would definitely fire Jurgen”, she says. Before falling on Wednesday, the US won seven matches against Costa Rica, Haiti, Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago as well as China – and drew one versus the Brazilians – while outscoring their opponents 40-2.