Abby Wambach To Play Her Final Game; Teammates Share Emotional Tribute

An an interview with Bill Simmons, Wambach directly called for Klinsmann’s removal as head coach of the US Men’s National Team.

Wambach, 35, will be remembered for her unflinching determination to advance the cause of American, and women’s, soccer on and off the pitch.

Although Wambach complimented both players, she implied that efforts to recruit such players came at the expense of youth player development inside the U.S.

USA forward Abby Wambach hugs forward Alex Morgan (13) as Morgan leaves with an injury during the first half of the team’s global friendly soccer match against China in New Orleans, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015. By now, I’m sure you have heard Wambach’s comments on how firing Jurgen Klinsmann would help the U.S. Men’s National Team.

Wambach has seen more success than any other US soccer player, with two Olympic gold medals and one World Cup title.

However, there is very little that Wambach could do to tarnish her reputation, and she will rightly sign off from her incredible career as a bona fide legend of the game.

Recently, Wambach caught herself raising her voice at Ellis when the coach asked her how the squad would move on without her presence.

An era was ending and Wambach, a defining face of the U.S. women’s national team for so long, was checking in for her final match.

Wang Schuang scored the only goal in the 58th minute with a deflected volley, while Wambach was substituted to a standing ovation from the 32,950 crowd in the 72nd minute. “So, forget me. Because the day I’m forgotten is the day we will succeed”. “It’s unfortunate to lose the match but at the same time this is a celebration of Abby and what she’s done for the team and I think that’s what matters”.

“It seems to me there are too many egos in our men’s program right now and the bigger ego of all of them is the one who is leading the charge”.

When Shuang was about 4, the USA soccer team defeated China on penalty kicks in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Pasadena, California.

“(They) have given me a lot of leeway to make these last couple of weeks what I really wanted them to be like”, Wambach said.

She has been critical of the huge pay differences between male and female soccer players. “But I also think that overall as a culture we have been imprinted on the fact that women make less money, get fewer opportunities”.

“I don’t think anyone will ever bring what she brings, her leadership on and off the field…”