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US Women’s National Team forward Abby Wambach has announced her retirement from soccer. Wambach is the leading scorer in the history of international soccer in men’s or women’s with 184 goals in her career. Wambach is 35 years old and her international playing career started 15 years ago in 2001 against when she was 21 and made her debut against Germany.
#USWNT legend @AbbyWambach announces retirement at the end of 2015. Read more: https://t.co/mhdWDKqMwg pic.twitter.com/ZGSfmyNZ2G
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) October 27, 2015
Wambach also currently has 252 caps, which is fifth all-time in US history and has 73 assists, which is third all-time in US history.
Congratulations on an outstanding career, @AbbyWambach! All the best for the future! #ThanksAbby https://t.co/KJLmwNK5Jz
— FIFA Women’sWorldCup (@FIFAWWC) October 27, 2015
10 legendary moments from @AbbyWambach‘s career. https://t.co/ncxaxVHECB #ThanksAbby pic.twitter.com/yl85f9T4Yl
— espnW (@espnW) October 27, 2015
She is also the Gators and SEC career goals leader with 96 goals during her colliegate career from 1998-2001. Florida soccer head coach Becky Burleigh, who was Wambach’s college coach sent out a tweet yesterday as well.
Gator chomping in Orlando yesterday! pic.twitter.com/2LCvjnAWdV
— Becky Burleigh (@UFGatorSoccer) October 26, 2015
Even USMNT coach Jürgen Klinsmann sent out a tweet on Twitter to recognize Wambach.
Congrats to Abby Wambach on an amazing career. Fitting that she goes out as World Champion !! #ThanksAbby pic.twitter.com/x5Lea3Gvkz
— Jürgen Klinsmann (@J_Klinsmann) October 27, 2015
Wambach was known for scoring goals using her head and ESPN sent this tweet out to show just how many goals she actually has scored with her head.
Abby Wambach is retiring. Her head alone would rank 7th all-time in USWNT international goals (77). (via @PCarrESPN) pic.twitter.com/VhDHrnZGfI
— ESPN (@espn) October 27, 2015
Abby Wambach responded to all of the tweets and messages with a tweet of her own.
Nothing made me prouder than to wear the red, white and blue. Thank you for sending your thoughts and kind words. pic.twitter.com/0Sj1YgVsKm
— Abby Wambach (@AbbyWambach) October 27, 2015
Wambach will be with the USWNT for all four of its December matches, but her final game that she will suit up for the US will be when the USA faces China PR in New Orleans on December 16. As the USA plays its last match of the 10-game victory tour to celebrate the USA winning the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
