Abby Wambach Says ‘Forget Me’ In Gatorade Ad Marking Her Retirement

Retired U.S. men’s national team icon Landon Donovan and current U.S. midfielder Mix Diskerud were among those to weigh in on the topic, with Diskerud posting a pointed message on his Instagram feed in response to Wambach’s remarks.

Wednesday played her last game with Team USA at the Super Dome in Louisiana against China. It was the first loss for the USA on home soil since 2004.

Wambach scored 184 goals in her career. For many, she is the global face of women’s soccer and the national team’s spiritual leader. “It has been my pleasure and my honor to represent the fans for as long as I’ve been able to”, she said, tearing up. The United States Women’s National Team was going to make this one about Abby Wambach.

There were 33,000 people in attendance at the game to bid goodbye to Wambach.

After Thursday’s defeat by China in which Wambach played 72 minutes, her team-mates apologised for not earning a win in her final game, but the two-time Olympic champion added: “There’s nothing to be sorry about”.

When Wambach recounted that story Tuesday, Ellis smiled and interjected that almost “190 goals or whatever later, I’ve been proven wrong”. The ball did not bounce in Wambach’s favor in at least once chance in front of goal, when the ball sprung too high for her to connect. Wambach went on to criticize Klinsmann’s reliance on foreign-born players, such as German-Americans Jermaine Jones and Fabian Johnson.

“I would definitely fire Jurgen”, Wambach said. They also lost superstar striker Alex Morgan to an apparent hamstring injury in the first half, though China also lost a starter – Ren Guixin – to an injury early. But to treat someone fairly doesn’t cost a single cent. It wouldn’t cost anything, it would be just a decision. And when the teams took the field shortly before kickoff, fans along the sideline held up yellow and black cards with the same slogan.

The match hadn’t even started yet and Abby Wambach already had tears in her eyes. Just below the image was the word, “POWER”. At the same time, she sounded certain she’d never coach another player quite like Wambach. I didn’t play very many minutes, and that’s a good thing, because evolutionarily speaking, that’s the way I’ve wanted this game to go.

“I’m not bashing U.S. Soccer here”. She’s already risen to become the top worldwide scorer – male or female – in soccer history. “I know that they have given and moved that needle further than any other country in the world”, Wambach said.