Watch: Abby Wambach receives standing ovation in final USA match
The U.S. women’s national team sent off retiring striker Abby Wambach on Wednesday night, honoring her decorated international career.
Wambach, the all-time leading international goal-scorer in women’s soccer history, would leave without a score in the U.S.’s friendly against China at the Superdome in New Orleans, but the team took a moment to acknowledge her exploits in an emotional pregame ceremony. Fans chanted Wambach’s name throughout, and she was subbed off for Christen Press in the 72nd minute to a standing ovation.
Donning the captain’s armband, Wambach bid farewell to the American fans.
The pre-match ceremony:
Wambach’s final exit:
• WAHL: What’s next for Wambach?
Wambach sat down with Fox Sports for a postgame farewell interview, as well.
Wambach, 35, finishes with 255 international caps, a record 184 international goals, a World Cup title and two Olympic gold medals to her name.
Given those numbers, Wambach has a case as the greatest women’s soccer player ever, one that President Barack Obama supported with a tweet earlier Wednesday.
• GALLERY: Wambach through the years
Wambach spoke at length with SI’s Grant Wahl about her career and future plans on the Planet Futbol podcast this week, which you can listen to below.
- Jeremy Woo
