◐ Shell
reader mode source ↗
Jump to content
This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American soccer player (born 1980)

Abby Wambach
Wambach at the Tribeca Festival in 2025 for Come See Me in the Good Light
Wambach warming up in 2011
Personal information
Full name Mary Abigail Wambach[1]
Date of birth (1980-06-02) June 2, 1980 (age 46)
Place of birth Rochester, New York, U.S.
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position Forward
Youth career
1994–1998 Our Lady of Mercy High School
1995–1997 Rochester Spirit
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2001 Florida Gators 93 (96)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Washington Freedom 37 (23)
2005 Ajax America Women 3 (5)
2009–2010 Washington Freedom 39 (21)
2011 magicJack 11 (9)
2013–2014 Western New York Flash 29 (17)
Total 119 (75)
International career
2001–2015 United States 255 (184)
Managerial career
2011 magicJack (player-coach)
Medal record
Women's soccer
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place2004 AthensTeam
Gold medal – first place2012 LondonTeam
FIFA World Cup
Winner2015 Canada
Runner-up2011 Germany
Bronze medal – third place2003 United States
Bronze medal – third place2007 China
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mary Abigail Wambach (born June 2, 1980) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a forward. She played for the U.S. women's national soccer team from 2003 to 2015. With 184 international goals, she ranks second on the all-time list of international goals scored by players of any gender. Wambach is a six-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award, and was named the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2012. She was included on the 2015 Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.

Wambach competed in four editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup, winning the tournament in 2015. She won the gold medal at the Olympics in 2004 and 2012. In college, she helped the Florida Gators women's soccer team win its first NCAA Division I Championship. She played at the professional level for Washington Freedom, magicJack, and the Western New York Flash.

Wambach is known for scoring goals with diving headers. During a quarterfinal match against Brazil at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, Wambach scored a last-minute equalizer goal from a precise cross from Megan Rapinoe, which helped the U.S. secure victory. The goal set a record for the latest goal ever scored in a World Cup match, and received ESPN's ESPY Award for Best Play of the Year. Wambach also won the tournament's Bronze Boot and Silver Ball. In 2011, she became the first soccer player of any gender to be named Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press.

Wambach retired in 2015, playing her last game on December 16 in New Orleans as part of the United States' 10-game Victory Tour following its win at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Wambach's autobiography, titled Forward, was published in 2016. Her second book, Wolfpack: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power and Change the Game, was published in 2019. Both books became New York Times Best Sellers.

Early life

[edit]

Wambach was born to Pete and Judy Wambach in Rochester, New York, and was raised in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford. She is the youngest of seven children, with two sisters and four brothers.[2][3] She began playing soccer at the age of four after her sister Laura tried the sport. Their mother checked out a book from the library explaining how to play, and from then on soccer became a family tradition. In a 2011 interview, Wambach said her large family felt like a team environment which taught her how to compete. She explained that her siblings never let her win, forcing her to earn her victories. She was toughened up by her elder brothers, who fired hockey pucks at her for target practice.[4] Wambach credited this early competition for her later success.[5]

While playing in her first youth soccer league at age five, Wambach was transferred from the girls' team to the boys' after scoring 27 goals over three games. As a pre-teen, she eluded defenders by heading the ball over them and then running around them.[6] Wambach's brother Matthew described her as fiercely competitive; after he witnessed her tackle a neighbor boy at the age of 11 or 12, he felt she was destined for sports success.[7]

Youth career

[edit]

Wambach attended Our Lady of Mercy High School in Rochester from 1994 to 1998, where she competed in soccer and basketball.[2] She scored 142 goals during her high school career, including 34 in 1997. Her soccer coach, Kathy Boughton, recalled that Wambach often asked to practice diving headers—a skill which became her trademark as an international player.[8] Following her senior season, Wambach was named to Parade magazine's High School All-America Team, and was voted national high school player of the year by Umbro and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).[2][9] In 1997, she was named NSCAA Regional Player of the Year, NSCAA State of New York Player of the Year, Gatorade Circle of Champions New York Player of the Year, and cited by USA Today as one of the nation's top 10 recruits.[2]

Wambach was a three-year captain for the Rochester Spirit club team and was named All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year in 1995 and 1997.[2] She was a member of the Olympic Development Program U-16 National Team in 1996 and the 1997 National U-20 Player Pool. She trained and played with the U.S. women's national soccer team while competing in the 1997 U.S. Soccer Festival in Blaine, Minnesota. In 1997, she was a member of the first American youth soccer team to compete in Beijing, China.[2]

College career

[edit]

Considered the top college recruit in 1997,[10] Wambach was sought after by numerous colleges, including top soccer programs at the University of North Carolina, UCLA, the University of Portland, and the University of Virginia.[11] Wambach accepted a full athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, where she played for coach Becky Burleigh's Florida Gators women's soccer team from 1998 to 2001.[2] Florida's program was only three years old, and the challenge of joining a less-established team appealed to Wambach.[11] As a freshman in 1998, she helped the Gators win their first NCAA national championship over the 15-time champion North Carolina Tar Heels. The Gators also won four consecutive Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships from 1998 to 2001.[2]

Individually, Wambach was the SEC Freshman of the Year (1998), a freshman All-American (1998), a first-team All-SEC selection for four straight seasons (1998–2001), and a two-time SEC Player of the Year (2000, 2001). She twice received SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors (2000, 2001), and was named a first-team All-American her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons in 1999, 2000 and 2001.[2] In addition to leading the Gators to the Final Four of the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament as a senior in 2001, Wambach set school career records for goals scored (96), assists (50), points (242), game-winning goals (24), and hat tricks (10).[2][12] Wambach was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 2012.[13][14]

Club career

[edit]
Wambach wearing a white uniform by a soccer field.
Wambach with the Freedom in 2004

2002–2003: Washington Freedom in the WUSA

[edit]

In 2002, Wambach was selected second during the first round of the WUSA draft by the Washington Freedom for the second season of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA).[15] The Freedom had tied for last place with the Carolina Courage the previous season, but were able to finish third in 2002 with a berth in the playoffs.[16][17] The Freedom upset the Philadelphia Charge 1–0 in the semifinal, then lost 3–2 to the Courage in the final.[18][19] Wambach served one assist during the final.[20] After leading all first-year players in scoring, Wambach was named 2002 WUSA Rookie of the Year. She was the Freedom's leading scorer with ten goals and ten assists, and was tied for fourth for scoring in the league.[21] She scored twice in the inaugural 2002 WUSA All-Star Game, and was named MVP of the game.[22]

During the 2003 season, Wambach tied with Freedom teammate Mia Hamm for first in league scoring, with 33 points.[23] Her contributions helped propel the Freedom to the championship match of the Founders Cup, where she scored the game-winning goal to defeat the Atlanta Beat 2–1. Wambach was named the MVP of the tournament.[a] Five days before the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, the WUSA folded, citing financial difficulties and a lack of sponsorship.[27] In the summer of 2005, Wambach played for Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) club Ajax America Women, alongside national teammate Shannon Boxx.[28] Wambach scored five goals and served three assists in three appearances.[29]

2009–2011: Women's Professional Soccer

[edit]

In 2008, a new U.S. women's professional league was announced: Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). Wambach was assigned to the Washington Freedom during the 2008 WPS Player Allocation, which assigned twenty-one players from the U.S. national team player pool to the seven teams in the new league.[30] League play began in March 2009. During the fifth week of play, Wambach was voted WPS Player of the Week after scoring two goals during the Freedom's first win.[31] On May 3, she received a yellow card for a tackle that left St. Louis Athletica midfielder Daniela with two damaged knee ligaments and a crack in the tibia, sidelining her for the rest of the season.[32] Wambach was suspended for one game after the tackle was reviewed by the league commissioner.[33] Wambach was named WPS Player of the Week two more times during the 2009 season.[b] She ended the season with eight goals and was named to the 2009 WPS All-Star Team.[23]

During the 2010 season, Wambach was named Player of the Week in week 2.[37] She received the most votes in 2010 WPS All-Star voting, making her one of two captains for the 2010 WPS All-Star Game. Wambach received 100% of votes from the media and coaches, and received the most fan votes with 31%.[38][39] In 2011, the Freedom relocated to Boca Raton, Florida and were renamed magicJack under new ownership. On July 22, Wambach was named the team's player-coach for the rest of the 2011 season.[40] She was named Player of the Week for the seventh time in August.[41] On October 26, the WPS League Governors voted to terminate the magicJack franchise.[42] The WPS suspended operations in early 2012.[43]

2013–2014: Western New York Flash in the NWSL

[edit]
Wambach in a white uniform surrounded by a defender in a red uniform.
Wambach playing with the Western New York Flash against the Chicago Red Stars on July 4, 2013

In 2012, a new professional women's soccer league was announced in the U.S. that featured allocated players from the American, Mexican, and Canadian national teams.[44] On January 11, 2013, Wambach was allocated to the National Women's Soccer League club Western New York Flash, in her hometown of Rochester, New York.[45][46] After missing the preseason due to national team commitments, she made her debut on April 14, 2013, during the team's season opener against Sky Blue FC.[47][48]

During the Flash's second match against the Washington Spirit, Wambach was accidentally struck hard in the face from close range by her teammate Brittany Taylor in the 80th minute. She dropped to the ground and appeared disoriented after standing up.[49] She played the remainder of the match and even attempted to score a goal with her head, but dropped to the ground after the final whistle and was described by Spirit goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris as dazed and mumbling.[50][51] U.S. Soccer announced several days later that she had suffered a concussion and acknowledged that the injury should have been handled differently by the referee, coaching staff, and players.[52] Wambach sat out the next game as a precautionary health measure.[53]

Wambach made her home debut for the Flash on May 1 and scored the winning goal to defeat Sky Blue 2–1. It was the team's first league win and lifted them to a three-way tie for third place in the league.[54] Wambach was named NWSL Player of the Week during weeks 5 and 9 of the season.[55][56] On March 18, 2015, she announced that she was sitting out the entire 2015 NWSL season to focus on the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[57] Two weeks later, Wambach's playing rights were traded along with midfielder Amber Brooks and a first-round pick in the 2016 NWSL college draft to Seattle Reign FC, in exchange for forwards Sydney Leroux and Amanda Frisbie.[58]

International career

[edit]

No I or individual is better than the team. I've scored no goals just on my own. Every goal I've ever scored has been because of someone else on my team, their excellence, their bravery.

— Abby Wambach[59]

In 2001, Wambach's WUSA and collegiate performance earned her a spot at the training camp for the U.S. women's national soccer team. Her first international match occurred on September 9 against Germany at the Nike U.S. Cup in Chicago. The U.S. won 4–1.[60] She scored her first international goal on April 27, 2002, during a friendly match against Finland in San Jose, California. The U.S. won 3–0.[61]

2003 FIFA Women's World Cup

[edit]

In August 2003, Wambach was named to the U.S. roster by coach April Heinrichs for her first World Cup.[62] She had played in six international matches before the tournament. Wambach made the starting line-up for the first group stage match, a 3–1 win over Sweden. During the second match against Nigeria, Wambach scored a goal as the U.S. achieved a 5–0 victory.[63] She scored another goal during the third group stage match as the U.S. defeated North Korea 3–0.[64] Wambach scored the only goal of the quarterfinal against Norway, bringing her team to the semifinals.[65] The U.S. lost to Germany 3–0 in the semifinal, then defeated Canada 3–1 in a match for third place.[66][67] During the World Cup, Wambach led the U.S. in scoring with three goals.[65][68]

2004 Summer Olympics

[edit]

After the WUSA suspended operations in 2003, Wambach trained with the national team in preparation for the 2004 Summer Olympics in . During the team's first group stage match against on August 11, Wambach scored one goal and received a as the U.S. won 3–0. During the second match against Brazil, Wambach and each scored a goal to secure a 2–0 victory. Wambach received another yellow card, resulting in an automatic suspension from her next match.[71][72] She watched from the sidelines as her team played to a 1–1 tie against Australia in the final group stage match. The U.S. faced Japan in the quarterfinal on August 20, with Wambach's goal in the 59th minute lifting the Americans to a 2–1 victory.[73]

After defeating Germany in the semifinal, the U.S. faced Brazil for a second time in the final. Wambach's 10-yard header in the 112th minute off a corner kick from Kristine Lilly gave the U.S. a 2–1 victory and the gold medal.[74] Wambach finished the tournament with four goals, setting a record for most goals scored by a U.S. player at the Olympics.[c] In 2011, her last-minute goal would be hailed by ESPN as one of the five "biggest" goals in USWNT history.[76] At the end of 2004, Wambach had contributed 31 goals and 13 assists in 30 matches for the national team. She finished fourth in voting for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.[77]

After the Olympics, Wambach continued as a major contributor to the national team, scoring goals during the 2005 Algarve Cup and a number of exhibition games.[65] During group play at the Algarve Cup, one of her goals helped the U.S. set a record for the largest goal margin in an Algarve Cup match after their 5–0 win over Denmark.[78] At the end of 2006, Wambach had scored 66 goals in 84 international matches, scoring more goals in fewer games than any player since Michelle Akers. Wambach again finished fourth in voting for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award.[79]

2007 FIFA Women's World Cup

[edit]

Heading into the 2007 Women's World Cup in China, the U.S. national team had not lost a game in regulation time in nearly three years and was considered a favorite to win the tournament. Wambach had now been a regular on the team for five years.[80] During the first match against North Korea, Wambach scored one goal before colliding in the air with North Korean defender Ri Kum-Suk. Wambach landed on the ground with blood streaming down her head. She was taken off the field for ten minutes and received five stitches on the back of her head.[81] North Korea scored two goals while Wambach was off the field. Coach Greg Ryan decided not to replace Wambach, who had scored 78 goals in 97 games. A few minutes after she returned to the field, the U.S. scored an equalizer goal. The match concluded as a 2–2 draw.[82][83]

The U.S. defeated Sweden 2–0 in their next match, with Wambach scoring both goals.[84] She assisted the only goal in the team's final group match, a 1–0 win over Nigeria.[85] During the quarterfinal against England on September 22, Wambach scored the first goal as the U.S. achieved a 3–0 victory.[86] During the first half, English captain Faye White required extensive treatment following an elbow in the face from Wambach. Although Wambach insisted the contact was accidental, the English players and media thought otherwise.[87] The match was Wambach's 100th international match.[88][89]

For the semifinal against Brazil, Ryan decided to bench starting goalkeeper Hope Solo, and instead started Brianna Scurry, a veteran goalkeeper who had started in three World Cups and two Olympics, but who had played few competitive matches since the 2004 Olympics. The U.S. was defeated 4–0, but managed to secure a third-place finish in the tournament with a 4–1 over Norway.[90] Wambach scored two goals during the third-place match, bringing her 2007 World Cup total to six goals in six matches.[d]

2008–2009: Injury and recovery

[edit]

In June 2008, Wambach was named to the U.S. squad for the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympics in China.[94] On July 16, during an exhibition match against Brazil in California, Wambach collided with Brazilian defender Andréia Rosa while running at full speed. Wambach fell to the ground and immediately signaled for assistance. Her left leg was put in a brace and she was taken off the field on a stretcher. X-rays at a local hospital revealed fractures to her tibia and fibula. She underwent surgery to have a titanium rod inserted into her leg, and was expected to be out of action for three months, causing her to miss the Olympics the following month.[95]

Wambach was devastated by the injury, but was intent on recovering and returning to soccer. She expressed hope that her resilience could inspire others to rebound from setbacks.[96] Wambach's teammates were unsettled by her injury. Natasha Kai said, "My heart sank ... We need her. She's a big piece of a great team."[97] Forward Lauren Cheney was called in to replace Wambach at the Olympics.[98][96] Despite Wambach's absence, the U.S. won the gold medal after defeating Brazil 1–0 in the final.[99]

Wambach scored her 100th international goal during a friendly match against Canada in her hometown of Rochester on July 19, 2009, her second international match after recovering from her injury. Commenting on the goal, she said, "After this year I've had, the heartbreak of not going to the Olympics, all of that pain is worth it. There's nothing more you can ask for than play in front of your home crowd and come through with a milestone like I did today."[100] She reached the landmark goal in fewer games than any of the four other American players who had previously reached 100 goals: Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Michelle Akers and Tiffeny Milbrett.[101]

2011 FIFA Women's World Cup

[edit]

The 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany was Wambach's third World Cup.[102] Her first goal of the tournament came during the final group stage match, a 2–1 loss to Sweden.[e] During the quarterfinal game against Brazil, Wambach scored a header goal off a cross from Megan Rapinoe in the 122nd minute, which evened the score at 2–2. The U.S. went on to win the game on penalty kicks and advanced to the semifinal.[106] Wambach's goal was the latest goal ever scored in a FIFA competition, and it was awarded ESPN's ESPY Award for Best Play of the Year.[f] Wambach scored her third goal of the tournament during the Americans' 3–1 semifinal win over France.[110]

Video
video icon Rapinoe's cross to Wambach on YouTube

During the World Cup final against Japan, Wambach's goal in extra time made her the all-time leading American goalscorer in Women's World Cup history. Her 13 total goals brought her to third place internationally for Women's World Cup goals scored, behind Brazil's Marta and Germany's Birgit Prinz, who each had 14 goals.[111] The match went to a penalty shootout, which Japan won, with Wambach scoring the only penalty kick for the United States.[112] Wambach's final tally for the World Cup was four goals and one assist; she was awarded the Bronze Boot and the Silver Ball.[113] All four of Wambach's goals in the tournament were scored using her head.[114] Following the World Cup, Rochester mayor Thomas Richards declared July 20 "Abby Wambach Day" and gave Wambach a key to the city.[115]

2012 Summer Olympics

[edit]

Wambach scored the first goal for the U.S. at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London during the team's first group stage match against France on July 25. Down 2–0 after 14 minutes into the first half, Wambach scored with a header in the 19th minute. By the 30-minute mark, the Americans had tied the game with a goal from Alex Morgan. After another goal from Morgan and one from Carli Lloyd, the U.S. achieved a 4–2 victory.[g]

During the second group stage match, Colombian midfielder Lady Andrade punched Wambach in the face, causing her to fall to the ground. The referees did not seem to notice, and made no call. Wambach scored one goal as the U.S. won 3–0. The goal was her sixth career Olympic goal, which broke the previous U.S. record of five goals held by Mia Hamm and Tiffeny Milbrett.[119] Wambach ended the game with a swollen black eye.[120] After reviewing match footage, FIFA officials imposed a two-match ban on Andrade.[121][122]

During the United States' third group stage match against North Korea, Wambach scored the only goal as the U.S. won 1–0.[123] During the quarterfinal against New Zealand, Wambach scored her fourth goal of the tournament, then led a celebration of cartwheels—a tribute to the U.S. gymnastics team. The Americans achieved a 2–0 victory and moved onto the semifinals, where Wambach scored one goal in a 4–3 win over Canada.[124][125] The U.S. defeated Japan 2–1 in the final to win the gold medal. Wambach scored five goals during the tournament, and scored in every match except the final. She was named the 2012 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year on January 7, 2013.[77] Following the Olympics, Wambach's hometown of Rochester honored her by naming the entrance to Sahlen's Stadium "Wambach Way".[126][127]

2015: World Cup victory and retirement

[edit]
Wambach and England captain Steph Houghton shake hands before kick off on February 13, 2015

Wambach stated that the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada would be her last World Cup.[128][129] Because the team's nominal captain Christie Rampone was starting every game on the bench, Wambach acted as the starting captain in three games, while Carli Lloyd started as captain in the other four games.[130] During the tournament, Wambach scored in a 1–0 group stage win against Nigeria, which was her last goal in official competition. The goal ensured that the U.S. won their group.[131] The U.S. went on to win the tournament, with Rampone and Wambach lifting the World Cup trophy together.[132] Following the victory, the U.S. team became the first women's sports team to be honored with a ticker tape parade in New York City.[133] Each player received a key to the city from Mayor Bill de Blasio.[134] In October, the team was honored by President Barack Obama at the White House.[135]

The U.S. team played a victory tour of exhibition games after the World Cup. On August 19, in a match against Costa Rica, Wambach scored her 184th international goal.[136] She would hold the record for most international goals by a player of any gender until Christine Sinclair surpassed her in 2020.[137] The tour's December 16 match against China was Wambach's final match with the team before retirement.[138] On the day of her final match, Wambach criticized Jürgen Klinsmann, the head coach of the U.S. men's national soccer team, for recruiting foreign-born players with dual citizenship. She said Klinsmann had not focused enough on developing youth soccer programs in the U.S., and she called for him to be fired.[139] Mix Diskerud, a midfielder for the men's team who was born in Norway to an American mother, rebuked Wambach for her criticism. He accused her of trying to "disenfranchise" U.S. players who were not raised in the United States.[140][141]

Style of play

[edit]

Wambach was known in particular for her goalscoring ability.[142][143] Although she was not the quickest or most technically gifted forward, she was known for her physical, effective, and direct style of play, as well as her excellent sense of space and positioning, which allowed her to get onto the end of long balls and crosses, and to make passes with back headers and backheels. Her height and physique allowed her to excel in the air, and she was renowned for her ability to score with her head, frequently producing goals from diving headers.[h] Although primarily a striker, Wambach was also known for her energy and work rate, ranking third all-time on the national team for number of assists. She could play anywhere along the front line, and would often drop into the midfield to assist her teammates defensively and help start attacking plays.[i] Wambach has also been praised for her determination, tenacity, and leadership.[151]

Endorsements

[edit]

During her career, Wambach signed endorsement deals with Gatorade, Nike, MVP Healthcare, Bank of America and Panasonic.[j] She has appeared in commercials for Dodge, ESPN SportsCenter, magicJack phone service, the LED lighting company Cree, and the New York Apple Association.[k]

Philanthropy

[edit]

Wambach has done philanthropic work for the Epilepsy Foundation and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.[161] She has participated in Mia Hamm's annual Celebrity Soccer Challenge, which raises funds for Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Mia Hamm Foundation.[162] In August 2011, Wambach joined her national teammates Alex Morgan and Hope Solo in a Bank of America charitable campaign at the Chicago Marathon. A donation of $5,000 was made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association on her behalf.[163][164] In 2013, she became an ambassador for Athlete Ally, a nonprofit organization that seeks to end homophobia and transphobia in sports.[165] Wambach serves on the board of Together Rising, an all-women-led organization founded by her wife, Glennon Doyle, that supports women, families, and children in crisis.[166][167]

[edit]

Television and film

[edit]

Wambach appeared in the HBO film, Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team.[168] She has made appearances on the Today Show,[169] the Late Show with David Letterman,[170] The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,[171] and Good Morning America.[172] She was featured on ESPN's In the Game with Robin Roberts in June 2012.[173] In 2013, Wambach's biography was the focus of a one-hour ESPN documentary, Abby Head On.[174] The same year, she appeared in the ESPN documentary series Nine for IX.[175]

In April 2015, Wambach joined Alex Morgan on American Idol to announce that the show's season winner would record the official song for Fox's coverage of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[176] In May of the same year, her likeness appeared on The Simpsons.[177] In 2021, Wambach began hosting the series "Abby's Places", which is part of the Peyton's Places franchise on ESPN+.[178]

Magazines

[edit]

Wambach posed nude in The Body Issue of ESPN The Magazine in 2012.[179] She said, "My body is very different than most other females. ... I want to show people that no matter who you are, no matter what shape you are, that's still beautiful."[180] The following month, she was featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine with national teammates Sydney Leroux and Alex Morgan.[181] The same year, she appeared on multiple covers of Sports Illustrated.[l]

Games and toys

[edit]

Wambach has appeared as a playable character in the FIFA video game series.[185][186] In 2016, Mattel unveiled an Abby Wambach Barbie doll.[187]

Personal life

[edit]

In October 2013, Wambach married Sarah Huffman, her teammate on the Western New York Flash.[188] Following their wedding, Wambach stated that her marriage did not represent a coming out, because she had never been closeted: "I can't speak for other people, but for me, I feel like gone are the days that you need to come out of a closet. I never felt like I was in a closet ... I always felt comfortable with who I am and the decisions I made."[189] In September 2016, Wambach announced that she and Huffman were divorcing.[190] Two months later, Wambach confirmed she was in a relationship with author Glennon Doyle.[191] The couple married on May 14, 2017, and as of 2022 they live in Hermosa Beach, California.[192][193] Wambach, Doyle, and Doyle's ex-husband Craig Melton co-parent Doyle and Melton's three children.[194] Wambach and Doyle are part owners of the Los Angeles soccer club Angel City FC.[195]

On April 2, 2016, Wambach was arrested by police in Portland, Oregon for driving under the influence of intoxicants.[m] She pleaded guilty to the charge.[199] Following the incident, automaker MINI withdrew a commercial featuring Wambach.[200] In her autobiography, which was released several months after the incident, Wambach wrote that she had abused prescription drugs and alcohol for many years, and had been sober since her arrest.[190]

Wambach was a supporter of Hillary Clinton's 2016 primary election campaign and spoke at several campaign events.[201] Wambach's autobiography, titled Forward, was published in 2016. Her second book, Wolfpack: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power and Change the Game, based on her viral commencement speech at Barnard College, was published in 2019. Both books became New York Times Best Sellers.[202][203]

Career statistics

[edit]

International goals

[edit]

Wambach scored 184 goals in 255 appearances for the U.S. women's national team. She is second in the world for international goals scored by players of any gender.[204]

Club appearances and goals

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and league
Club Season League
DivisionAppsGoals
Washington Freedom 2002[205] WUSA 19 10
2003[206] WUSA 18 13
2009[207] WPS 18 8
2010[207] WPS 23 13
magicJack 2011[207] WPS 13 9
Western New York Flash 2013[207] NWSL 18 11
2014[207] NWSL 10 6
Career total 119 70

Achievements and honors

[edit]

University of Florida

[edit]
  • NCAA Division I Champion: 1998
  • 4x First-Team All-SEC: 1998–2001
  • 2x First-Team All-American: 1999, 2001

Club

[edit]

United States

[edit]
  • 2x FIFA Women's World Cup third place: 2003, 2007

Other honors

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[24][25][26]
  2. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[34][35][36]
  3. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[65][3][75]
  4. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[91][92][93]
  5. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[103][104][105]
  6. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[107][108][109]
  7. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[116][117][118]
  8. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[144][145][146][147]
  9. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[144][148][149][150]
  10. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[152][153][154][155]
  11. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[156][157][158][159][160]
  12. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[182][183][184]
  13. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[196][197][198]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Timeline: Abby Wambach's soccer career". Democrat & Chronicle. December 17, 2015. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "2001 Gator Soccer Roster". Gator Zone. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Abby Wambach: American soccer hero". ESPN. June 19, 2013. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  4. ↑ Brown, Jonathan (June 24, 2011). "The Stars of Germany 2011 (that's the women's world cup)". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  5. ↑ Rogers, Martin (July 15, 2011). "USA's Wambach was bred for this moment". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  6. ↑ Longman, Jere (July 16, 2011). "Abby Wambach Stands Tall for U.S." The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  7. ↑ Longman, Jere (September 19, 2003). "U.S. Has 'Mass of Woman' In Front Line for World Cup". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  8. ↑ DiVeronica, Jeff (July 15, 2011). "Abby Wambach's aerial attack combines talent, dedication". Democrat and Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  9. ↑ Michael O'Shea, "Meet Parade's All-America High School Girls' Soccer Team", Parade, p. 12 (February 22, 1998). Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  10. ↑ FitzGerald, Ray (July 17, 2011). "Wambach, U.S. have attention of UF soccer coach". Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  11. 1 2 "Abby Head On – Recruitment". ESPN. March 14, 2013. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  12. ↑ Howard, Mary (September 18, 2025). "Gator Great Abby Wambach Inducted into U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame". Florida Gators. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  13. ↑ F Club, Hall of Fame, Gator Greats Archived January 29, 2019, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Florida Announces 2012 UF Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Archived October 19, 2013, at the Wayback Machine", GatorZone.com (September 7, 2011). Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  15. ↑ "2002 WUSA draft". Sports Business Journal. March 4, 2002. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  16. ↑ White, Joseph (August 12, 2002). "Freedom part-timer Hamm far from sub-par". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  17. ↑ "This Week: The Women of Soccer With Abby Wambach". The Washington Post. July 9, 2002. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Washington beats Philly to advance to WUSA final". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. August 17, 2002. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  19. ↑ Women's United Soccer Association (May 18, 2003). "Courage roll to win over Freedom". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on May 5, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Carolina completes title run with 3–2 victory". Sports Illustrated. August 24, 2002. Archived from the original on April 19, 2004. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  21. 1 2 "Luckenbill, Wambach lead postseason award winners". Sports Illustrated. August 20, 2002. Archived from the original on May 29, 2003. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Wambach leads South over North". ESPN. September 21, 2002. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  23. 1 2 "Abby Wambach". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on April 23, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Wambach makes statement for Cup spot". The Washington Times. August 26, 2003. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  25. ↑ "WUSA: Wambach leads Freedom in Founders Cup thriller". Soccer America. August 24, 2003. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Freedom Reign in OT". Athens Banner-Herald. August 25, 2003. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Cash-strapped WUSA folds five days before Women's World Cup". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. September 15, 2003. Archived from the original on October 17, 2003. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Where are they now? 2004 Olympic gold medalists". Soccer America. June 24, 2005. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  29. ↑ "2005 Women's Premier Soccer League Championship Tournament Media Guide" (PDF). Women's Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  30. ↑ Goff, Steven (September 17, 2008). "Wambach in League With Freedom Again". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 17, 2008.
  31. ↑ "Wambach voted WPS Player of the Week". Washington Freedom. April 28, 2009. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  32. ↑ "Athletica's Daniela sidelined indefinitely with knee injury". KSDK. May 5, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  33. ↑ "Wambach, McNeill receive one-game suspensions". Women's Professional Soccer. May 7, 2009. Archived from the original on May 11, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  34. ↑ "Wambach selected Week 18 WPS Player of the Week". Women's Professional Soccer. July 28, 2009. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2009.
  35. ↑ "WPS - Week 20". Oursportscentral. August 31, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  36. ↑ "WPS Season Ends with Celebration of League's Best". Women's Professional Soccer. July 28, 2009. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
  37. ↑ "Marta Named WPS Player of the Week". Our Sports Central. May 18, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  38. ↑ Andrews, Phil (June 30, 2010). "Einee, Meenie, Minee Moe: 2010 WPS All-Star Rosters Solidified". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Wambach top vote-getter for All-Star Game". Soccer America. June 10, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  40. ↑ "Abby Wambach hired to coach her pro team". Sporting News. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  41. ↑ "Abby Wambach Honored With WPS Record Seventh Career Player of the Week Award". Women's Soccer United. August 12, 2011. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  42. ↑ Dure, Beau (October 27, 2011). "WPS aims to survive more turmoil". ESPN. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  43. ↑ Dure, Beau (January 30, 2012). "Suspended Season Brings Uncertainty". ESPN. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  44. ↑ "U.S. Soccer Unveils Name of New Women's Soccer League". U.S. Soccer Federation. December 15, 2012. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  45. ↑ "NWSL announces allocation of 55 National Team Players to Eight Clubs". US Soccer. January 11, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2013.
  46. ↑ Hays, Graham (January 11, 2013). "NWSL Allocation Easier Said than Done". ESPN. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  47. ↑ "Wambach Debut". Western New York Flash. March 20, 2013. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Flash Fall to Sky Blue 1–0 in Season Opener". Western New York Flash. April 14, 2013. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  49. ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (April 25, 2013). "Wambach out Saturday, 'concussion' still not uttered". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  50. ↑ Fatsis, Stefan (April 25, 2013). "Get Your Head Out of the Game". Slate.com. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  51. ↑ DiVeronica, Jeff (April 21, 2013). "Wambach to undergo tests Monday on possible concussion suffered in Saturday's Flash tie". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved July 21, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  52. ↑ Fatsis, Stefan (May 2, 2013). "Coming to Their Senses". Slate.com. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  53. ↑ Farley, Richard (April 25, 2013). "NWSL: Concussion precautions to sideline Abby Wambach for Western New York's home opener". NBC Sports. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  54. ↑ Tsujimoto, Ben (May 1, 2013). "Wambach, Kerr propel Flash to first NWSL victory". Buffalo.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  55. ↑ "Abby Wambach voted NWSL Player of the Week". Brighton Pittsford Post. May 14, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  56. ↑ DiVeronica, Jeff (June 11, 2013). "Abby Wambach wins NWSL's Player of the Week award". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved July 21, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  57. ↑ "USWNT's Abby Wambach will not play in 2015 NWSL season". Sports Illustrated. March 18, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  58. ↑ Blue, Molly (March 30, 2015). "Abby Wambach, Sydney Leroux involved in major Seattle-Western New York NWSL trade". The Oregonian. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  59. ↑ "Abby Wambach: American soccer hero". ESPN. June 27, 2012.
  60. ↑ "U.S. Women Open 2001 Nike U.S. Women's Cup with 4–1 Win Over Germany". US Soccer. September 9, 2001. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  61. ↑ "GOAL GETTER: A LOOK BACK AT ABBY WAMBACH'S CAREER". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  62. ↑ "U.S. Roster for FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003 Announced". US Soccer. August 26, 2003. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  63. ↑ "USA – Nigeria". FIFA. Archived from the original on March 18, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  64. ↑ "Korea DPR – USA". FIFA. Archived from the original on May 18, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  65. 1 2 3 4 "Abby Wambach". US Soccer. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  66. 1 2 Whiteside, Kelly (September 18, 2003). "Wambach won't back down". USA Today. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  67. ↑ Whiteside, Kelly (October 11, 2003). "Motivated USA takes third place in World Cup". USA Today. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  68. ↑ "FIFA Confederations Cup - FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003". July 15, 2013. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  69. ↑ "Wambach Scores in U.S. Soccer's 3–0 Win vs Greece @ Olympics". University of Florida. August 11, 2004. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  70. ↑ "Olympic Football Tournaments Athens 2004 – Women". FIFA. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  71. ↑ "Wambach is No. 1 warrior for U.S. women's soccer team". ESPN. Associated Press. August 21, 2004. Archived from the original on June 26, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  72. ↑ Kepner, Tyler (August 27, 2004). "The '91ers Leave the Stage as Destiny's Darlings". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  73. ↑ "USA – Japan". FIFA. Archived from the original on March 18, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  74. ↑ Lewis, Michael (August 27, 2004). "Wambach has Midas touch in final". ESPN. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  75. ↑ Mahoney, Ridge (September 7, 2007). "Wambach Seeks Redemption". Soccer America. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  76. ↑ Purdy, Jacqueline; Smith, Michelle (July 11, 2011). "Five Biggest Goals in U.S. History". ESPN. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  77. 1 2 "USA Earns FIFA Year-End Awards as Wambach and Sundhage Honored as Player and Coach of the Year". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013.
  78. ↑ "Algarve Cup: USA-Denmark Game Report". Soccer America. March 13, 2006. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  79. ↑ Creditor, Avi (January 7, 2013). "Wambach wins FIFA Women's World Player of the Year; Sundhage named top coach". Goal.com. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  80. ↑ Goff, Steven (August 22, 2007). "Wambach Grows into Her Role, Shoulders U.S. Women's Load". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  81. ↑ Ruibal, Sal (September 14, 2007). "U.S. doctors rally to patch up rugged Abby Wambach". USA Today. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  82. ↑ "Some Stitches in Time Help Americans Gain a Tie". The New York Times. September 12, 2007. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  83. ↑ "Abby bleeds red, white and blue". FIFA. September 13, 2007. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
  84. ↑ "Wambach's double lifts U.S. women". CNN. September 14, 2007. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  85. ↑ Ruibal, Sal (September 18, 2007). "Chalupny's early goal sends U.S. to Cup quarterfinals". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  86. ↑ "US beats England to gain World Cup semis". China Daily. Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  87. ↑ Goff, Steve (September 23, 2007). "Wambach Responds". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 19, 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  88. ↑ "Abby Wambach's Top 10 Moments for the US Women's National Team". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  89. ↑ "England impress as Wambach roars". FIFA. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  90. ↑ Dure, Beau (October 23, 2007). "World Cup failure may have cost USA's Ryan dearly". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  91. ↑ "Wambach scores twice as U.S. beats Norway for third". Honolulu Advertiser. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  92. ↑ "U.S. overwhelms Finland despite Wambach exit". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  93. ↑ "U.S. WNT Forward Abby Wambach Discusses the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup". US Soccer. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  94. ↑ "2008 U.S. Olympic Women's Soccer Team Bio Shorts". U.S. Soccer Federation. June 23, 2008. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  95. ↑ "Wambach's broken leg mars US win over Brazil Archived December 7, 2024, at the Wayback Machine", ESPN (July 17, 2008). via Associated Press.
  96. 1 2 "Abby Wambach Conference Call Quote Sheet". US Soccer. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  97. ↑ "Wambach injury mars U.S. win over Brazil". NBC News. July 17, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  98. ↑ "Wambach has surgery; Cheney is replacement". Los Angeles Times. July 17, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  99. ↑ "Lloyd's OT goal gives U.S. women soccer gold". NBC News. August 21, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  100. ↑ "Abby Wambach gets 100th goal in U.S. win over Canada". USA Today. July 19, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  101. ↑ "Abby Wambach Scores 100th Career Goal in Hometown As U.S. Women Defeats Canada 1–0". US Soccer. July 19, 2009. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2009.
  102. ↑ "Hope Solo back for Women's World Cup". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  103. ↑ "USA – Korea DPR". FIFA. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  104. ↑ "USA – Colombia". FIFA. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  105. ↑ "Sweden – USA". FIFA. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  106. 1 2 "FIFA Player Statistics: Abby Wambach". FIFA. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  107. ↑ "Abby Wambach's 2011 Goal against Brazil Voted Best Moment in U.S. Soccer History". U.S. Soccer Federation. December 18, 2013. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  108. 1 2 Faulconer, Matt (July 7, 2011). "ESPN ESPY Awards 2011: Abby Wambach Scores Big for Team USA with Best Play". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  109. ↑ "Wambach's late goal sets up historic win". Philadelphia Daily News. Daily News Wire Services. July 11, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  110. ↑ "U.S. women beat France 3–1, make World Cup final". CNN. July 13, 2011. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  111. ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (July 14, 2011). "Wambach leads US women's surge". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on August 18, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  112. ↑ "Japan seizes the World Cup as USA watches title slip from grip". USA Today. July 17, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  113. 1 2 Haldane, Lizzie (July 17, 2011). "Despite outcome, U.S. women earned respect". ESPN. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  114. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Statistics – Players". FIFA. Archived from the original on April 20, 2013.
  115. ↑ "'Abby Wambach Day' in Rochester, N.Y." ESPN. July 21, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  116. ↑ Borden, Sam (July 25, 2012). "U.S. Women's Soccer Team Beats France". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  117. ↑ "U.S. Women's Soccer Team Beats France 4–2". United States Olympic Committee. July 25, 2012. Archived from the original on July 26, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  118. ↑ "US comeback stuns France". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. July 26, 2012. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  119. ↑ "Wambach bruised, closing in on history as U.S. beats Colombia". Sports Illustrated. July 28, 2012. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  120. ↑ "Black eye, goal for Wambach in Olympic win for US". ESPN. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  121. ↑ "Colombia player gets Olympic ban for punching U.S. soccer star Abby Wambach". CBS News. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  122. ↑ "Olympics 2012: Megan Rapinoe, Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd find the back of the net to lead U.S. women's soccer team past Colombia". Daily News. New York. Associated Press. July 28, 2012.
  123. ↑ "Wambach lifts USA past N. Korea". Fox Soccer. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  124. ↑ "Olympics 2012: U.S. women's soccer tops New Zealand, heads to semis". The Washington Times. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  125. ↑ Borden, Sam (August 6, 2012). "U.S. Women Win a Thriller on a Header". The New York Times. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  126. ↑ "Abby Wambach Way Dedication & Ribbon Cutting". City of Rochester, New York. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  127. ↑ "Abby Wambach honored at Sahlen's Stadium with 'Wambach Way'". Democrat and Chronicle. August 31, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  128. ↑ "Women's World Cup: Abby Wambach takes last shot at title - Goal.com". Goal.com.
  129. ↑ "World's All-Time Leading Scorer Abby Wambach Announces Retirement". United States Soccer Federation. October 27, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  130. ↑ Penz, Matt (July 5, 2015). "Carli Lloyd finals captain for World Cup". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  131. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 - Matches - Nigeria-USA". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015.
  132. ↑ Carlisle, Jeff (July 6, 2015). "U.S. VETERANS WAMBACH, RAMPONE GO OUT AS CHAMPIONS". ESPN W. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  133. ↑ "U.S. women celebrate World Cup with ticker-tape parade in New York City". USA Today. July 11, 2015. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  134. ↑ "Team USA parades NYC's "Canyon of Heroes"". CBS News. July 10, 2015. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  135. ↑ Wagner, Laura (October 27, 2015). "Obama To U.S. Women's Soccer Team: 'Playing Like A Girl Means You're A Badass'". NPR. Archived from the original on January 3, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  136. ↑ "U.S. WNT Continues Victory Tour with 7–2 Win in Chattanooga". U.S.Soccer. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  137. ↑ "Canada's Christine Sinclair eclipses Wambach for international goals record". The Guardian. January 30, 2020. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  138. ↑ "USA falls 1-0 to China as Abby Wambach bids farewell". The Oregonian/OregonLive. December 17, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  139. ↑ "Abby Wambach blasts Jurgen Klinsmann for use of 'foreign guys'". ESPN. December 16, 2015.
  140. ↑ "U.S.' Mix Diskerud responds to Abby Wambach about foreign-born players". ESPN.com. December 17, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  141. ↑ Borden, Sam (October 10, 2016). "Abby Wambach, Retired U.S. Soccer Star, Reflects on Her Addiction". The New York Times.
  142. ↑ Steve Ginsburg (October 27, 2015). "Abby Wambach, prolific U.S. women's soccer scorer, retires at 35". Reuters.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  143. ↑ Amit Nathwani (October 28, 2015). "Abby Wambach: Soccer great to call time on remarkable career". CNN. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  144. 1 2 Devin Pleuler (June 12, 2015). "Women's World Cup: Abby Wambach & the USWNT's long-ball problem - Central Winger". MLS Soccer.com. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  145. ↑ Caitlin Murray (June 16, 2015). "Is USA's Abby Wambach outdated or just brutally effective?". The Guardian. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  146. ↑ Sharelle M. Burt (October 27, 2015). "Abby Wambach announces retirement: Top 10 career accomplishments". The New York Daily News. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  147. ↑ Meredith Bennett-Smith (October 28, 2015). "Abby Wambach's towering legacy only begins with broken records". The Guardian. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  148. ↑ "Wambach towers in U.S. victory". FIFA.com. October 2, 2003. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  149. ↑ "Marta's hat trick sinks United States". ESPN. December 15, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  150. ↑ "Passing Patterns of the U.S.'s Top Playmakers". The New York Times. August 10, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  151. ↑ Jeff Kassouf (October 28, 2015). "An icon at the end". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  152. ↑
  153. ↑ Berfield, Susan (October 20, 2011). "Selling Abby Wambach". Business Week. Archived from the original on October 22, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  154. ↑ "U.S. Olympic Soccer Star Abby Wambach Partners With MVP Health Care to Help Kids Take on Life and Live Well". MVP Healthcare. July 15, 2008. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  155. ↑ McCarthy, Michael (July 21, 2011). "U.S. women's soccer stars land marketing deal". USA Today. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  156. ↑ "Dodge Journey Ad: "The Rematch"". Dodge. April 27, 2010. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  157. ↑ Assael, Shaun; Keating, Peter (September 13, 2012). "Magictrick". ESPN, The Magazine. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  158. ↑ "This Is SportsCenter: Abby Wambach". ESPN. June 17, 2011. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  159. ↑ Campbell, Jon (July 1, 2013). "Record-setting Abby Wambach to pitch New York apples". lohud.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  160. ↑ Oster, Erik (June 5, 2015). "Baldwin&, Abby Wambach Shoot the Lights Out for Cree". Ad Week. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  161. ↑ "Exclusive: Team USA Olympians Talk Charity". Look to the Stars. July 27, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  162. ↑ Lombardo, Delnda (January 19, 2009). "LTTS Exclusive: The Second Annual Celebrity Soccer Challenge". Look to the Stars. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  163. ↑ Schultz, Jordan (August 25, 2011). "Hope Solo, Alex Morgan And Abby Wambach Excited To Run Chicago Marathon". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  164. ↑ Szrom, Madeline (October 9, 2011). "U.S. Women Soccer forwards Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach talk Bank of America's "Let's Run Together" charity relay". Time Out Chicago. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  165. ↑ "Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe Join Athlete Ally with 16 Fellow National Women's Soccer League Players". Athlete Aly. July 25, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  166. ↑ "Our Team". Together Rising. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  167. ↑ Kantrowitz, Jessica (March 4, 2019). "The Nonprofit Organizations Supporting Family Reunification". Sojourners (Sojo.net). Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  168. ↑ "Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team". HBO. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  169. ↑ "Abby Wambach, teammates appear on Today Show". Brighton-Pittsford Post. July 19, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  170. ↑ McCarthy, Michael (July 19, 2011). "Solo and Wambach on David Letterman tonight". USA Today. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  171. ↑ Klopman, Michael (September 9, 2011). "USA Women's World Cup Players Reenact Amazing Abby Wambach Goal With Jon Stewart (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  172. ↑ "Women's World Cup: Team USA Interview Abby Wambach and Hope Solo". ABC News. July 11, 2011. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  173. ↑ "In the Game with Robin Roberts: Abby Wambach". ESPN. June 28, 2012. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  174. ↑ Cingari, Jennifer (May 6, 2013). "ESPN Films' SEC "Storied" Documentary Abby Head on to Premiere May 15". ESPN. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  175. ↑ Cingari, Jennifer (August 14, 2013). "ESPN Films' and espnW's Nine for IX Series Continues with The 99ers, premiering August 20 on ESPN". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  176. ↑ Maine, D'Arcy (April 23, 2015). "The Big Score Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan Revealed on 'American Idol'". ESPN. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  177. ↑ Vergara, Andre (May 8, 2015). "USA stars Morgan, Wambach and Press get 'The Simpsons' treatment". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  178. ↑ "Abby's Places Debuts Today, Exclusively on ESPN+". July 7, 2021.
  179. ↑ "Body Issue 2012: Abby Wambach". ESPN. July 10, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  180. ↑ "ESPN Body Issue 2012: Abby Wambach". ESPN. July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  181. ↑ "Kudos to ESPN the magazine..." Total MLS. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  182. ↑ "Abby Wambach Through the Years". Sports Illustrated. December 16, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  183. ↑ Axson, Scooby (June 2, 2015). "SI cover: Morgan, Wambach, Leroux, Lloyd and the USWNT World Cup team". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  184. ↑ "SI covers: 2015 World Cup-winning U.S. women". Sports Illustrated. July 13, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  185. ↑ Barnes, Katie (September 28, 2015). "Why 'FIFA 16' is a Landmark for Women". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  186. ↑ "FIFA 16 Player Ratings - Top 20 Women". EA Sports. September 8, 2015. Archived from the original on December 29, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  187. ↑ McCluskey, Megan (February 4, 2016). "Watch Abby Wambach Unveil Her Very Own Barbie". Time. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  188. ↑ "Soccer Star Abby Wambach Marries". ESPN. October 9, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  189. ↑ "Wambach: Marriage not about politics". Fox Sports. Associated Press. October 18, 2013. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  190. 1 2 "Abby Wambach details drugs, alcohol use and divorce in her new book". Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. September 12, 2016. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  191. ↑ Shellnut, Kate (November 14, 2016). "A Christian mom blogger announces she's dating soccer star Abby Wambach". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  192. ↑ Zucker, Joseph (May 15, 2017). "Former USWNT Star Abby Wambach Marries Blogger Glennon Doyle Melton". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  193. ↑ Foxman, Ariel (May 24, 2022). "Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach Share Their California Home". Architectural Digest. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  194. ↑ LaCroix, Emy (May 7, 2025). "Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach's Relationship Timeline". People. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  195. ↑ "Abby Wambach". Angel City FC. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  196. ↑ Redden, Jim (April 3, 2016). "Soccer star Wambach arrested for DUII in Portland". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  197. ↑ "Retired soccer star Abby Wambach arrested on DUI charge". ESPN. April 3, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  198. ↑ Barr, Max (April 3, 2016). "Retired soccer star Abby Wambach arrested for DUII in Portland". KGW. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  199. ↑ "Retired soccer star Abby Wambach pleads guilty in DUI case - NY Daily News". New York Daily News. April 13, 2016.
  200. ↑ "Abby Wambach sponsor MINI USA withdrawing ads that feature retired soccer star". New York Daily News. April 4, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  201. ↑ Mielke, Brad (January 7, 2016). "Clinton Dominating the NH Surrogate Game". ABC News.
  202. ↑ "Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction". The New York Times. October 2, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  203. ↑ "Soccer Star Abby Wambach Turns Rallying Commencement Speech Into New Book, 'Wolfpack'". NPR.org. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  204. ↑ Scott, Nate (June 20, 2013). "Abby Wambach just did something no soccer player has done before". USA Today. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  205. ↑ "Washington Freedom 2002 Stats". WUSA. Archived from the original on June 17, 2002. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  206. ↑ "Washington Freedom 2003 stats". WUSA. Archived from the original on July 7, 2003. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  207. 1 2 3 4 5 "Abby Wambach". SoccerWay. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  208. ↑ Women's Professional Soccer (August 11, 2011). "Wambach Honored with WPS Record Seventh Career Player of the Week Title". Our Sports Central. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  209. ↑ "Abby Wambach". TEAM USA. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  210. 1 2 "Abby Wambach". US Soccer. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  211. ↑ "U.S. forward Wambach named world's best player". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on March 15, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  212. ↑ "Wambach wins Female Athlete of the Year". Fox Sports. Associated Press. December 20, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  213. ↑ "Sportswoman of the Year". Women's Sports Foundation. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  214. ↑ Goldman, Leah (December 20, 2011). "Abby Wambach Was Named Female Athlete of the Year". Business Insider. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  215. ↑ Portwood, Jerry (November 21, 2015). "Out100: Abby Wambach". Out. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  216. ↑ "Time 100 Icons: Abby Wambach". Time. April 16, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  217. ↑ Hamm, Mai (April 16, 2015). "Abby Wambach". Time. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  218. ↑ Harrison, Lily (July 13, 2016). "2016 Espy Award Winners". Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  219. ↑ "UWNT legend Abby Wambach, former U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame". Dallas News. September 22, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  220. ↑ "Abby Wambach is No. 43 on the 2022 Fast Company Queer 50 list". Fast Company. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
[edit]
  • Bankston, John (2013), Abby Wambach, Mitchell Lane Publishers, Inc., ISBN 1612284655
  • Clinton, Hillary Rodham and Chelsea Clinton (2019), The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience, Simon and Schuster, ISBN 1501178415
  • Grainey, Timothy (2012), Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 0803240368
  • Kassouf, Jeff (2011), Girls Play to Win Soccer, Norwood House Press, ISBN 1599534649
  • Killion, Ann (2018), Champions of Women's Soccer, Penguin, ISBN 0399549021
  • Lisi, Clemente A. (2010), The U.S. Women's Soccer Team: An American Success Story, Scarecrow Press, ISBN 0810874164
  • Longman, Jere (2009), The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How it Changed the World, HarperCollins, ISBN 0061877689
  • Orr, Tamra (2007), Abby Wambach, Mitchell Lane Publishers, Inc., ISBN 1584156015
  • Stevens, Dakota (2011), A Look at the Women's Professional Soccer Including the Soccer Associations, Teams, Players, Awards, and More, BiblioBazaar, ISBN 1241047464
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abby_Wambach&oldid=1362698721"