Abby Wambach retirement means tonight is her final soccer game

But for Wambach, speaking ahead of the final match of her stellar career later yesterday against China, Klinsmann’s focus needs to be redirected.

NEW ORLEANS – Abby Wambach threatened to score several times in the final game of her extraordinary career, but China shut out the World Cup champion United States 1-0 on Wednesday night to hand the Americans their first loss on home soil in more than a decade.

“She’s been vocal about everything, whether it’s turf-related issues, whether it’s just making this team atmosphere better, whether it’s fighting for women’s rights, equal pay, she’s done it all”, team mate Carli Lloyd said.

Her teammates were quick to gush about Wambach and say how much she will be missed. I don’t believe in it, in my heart’. I didn’t want this Victory Tour to turn into the farewell Abby tour.

The legend steps away.

“I think that is why coming in (to play) the last 10-15 minutes of the last few games has been really cool, really important”, Wambach said.

She added that the game of soccer has changed a lot since she started playing on the US National Team in 2001. But as Wambach points out, the 2015 World Cup proves the tide is turning.

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.

Despite the criticism, though, ESPN notes that spending on soccer in the USA has increased under Klinsmann. More than 40 percent of Abby’s record-breaking 184 goals were scored with her head.

The ad is by TBWA/Chiat/Day and will run on TV during the US game against China, which is airing tonight on Fox Sports 1.

Although Wambach admits she never “came out” because she was never truly “in”, her impact on the LGBTQ community can not be overlooked. She had thought about waiting until after the tour to announce she’s retiring. Wambach’s family had flown in on a private plane to be at the match.

She said U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati should fire men’s national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “This team has everywhere to go and it’s going to go straight up”. China is also the opponent the USA women have faced the most, other than Canada.

And it worked for many years, because Abby was tough, fearless, and willing to put her body on the line for her teammates.

She has appeared in 255 global matches over the 14-year span of her career.