Abby Wambach: Soccer great to call time on remarkable career

By Amit Nathwani
3 minute read
Published 11:35 AM EDT, Wed October 28, 2015
Abby Wambach acknowledges the crowd after making her 255th and final appearance for the U.S. women's national team against China on December 16, 2015.
Abby Wambach acknowledges the crowd after making her 255th and final appearance for the U.S. women's national team against China on December 16, 2015.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The 35-year-old is the leading scorer in the history of international soccer, with 184 goals.
The 35-year-old is the leading scorer in the history of international soccer, with 184 goals.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team celebrates after winning the Women's World Cup on Sunday, July 5, in Vancouver, Canada. The United States defeated Japan with a final score of 5-2. Click through to see highlights from the tournament:
The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team celebrates after winning the Women's World Cup on Sunday, July 5, in Vancouver, Canada. The United States defeated Japan with a final score of 5-2. Click through to see highlights from the tournament:
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Megan Rapinoe of the United States celebrates the decisive win against Japan.
Megan Rapinoe of the United States celebrates the decisive win against Japan.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Abby Wambach celebrates after the U.S. victory.
Abby Wambach celebrates after the U.S. victory.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Lauren Holiday of the United States heads the ball above Japan's Nahomi Kawasumi.
Lauren Holiday of the United States heads the ball above Japan's Nahomi Kawasumi.
Elaine Thompson/AP
Japan's Yuki Ogimi and United States' Meghan Klingenberg vie for the ball during the second half.
Japan's Yuki Ogimi and United States' Meghan Klingenberg vie for the ball during the second half.
Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP
Lloyd scores her team's second goal against Japan on July 5.
Lloyd scores her team's second goal against Japan on July 5.
Lars Baron/FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Lauren Holiday of the United States scores her first goal against Japan on July 5.
Lauren Holiday of the United States scores her first goal against Japan on July 5.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Ayumi Kaihori of Japan reacts as a ball from Carli Lloyd rolls into the goal box.
Ayumi Kaihori of Japan reacts as a ball from Carli Lloyd rolls into the goal box.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Lloyd is congratulated by teammates Hope Solo and Megan Rapinoe after scoring a goal.
Lloyd is congratulated by teammates Hope Solo and Megan Rapinoe after scoring a goal.
FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Lloyd celebrates scoring the opening goal against Japan.
Lloyd celebrates scoring the opening goal against Japan.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden cheers on Team USA during the game in Vancouver.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden cheers on Team USA during the game in Vancouver.
ANDY CLARK/AFP/Getty Images
American Kelley O'Hara, top, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Germany on Tuesday, June 30. The goal, late in the second half, clinched a 2-0 semifinal victory for the Americans in Montreal.
American Kelley O'Hara, top, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Germany on Tuesday, June 30. The goal, late in the second half, clinched a 2-0 semifinal victory for the Americans in Montreal.
Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
Carli Lloyd scores the Americans' opening goal from a penalty.
Carli Lloyd scores the Americans' opening goal from a penalty.
Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images
U.S forward Alex Morgan is defended by Germany's Annike Krahn, left, and Lena Goessling.
U.S forward Alex Morgan is defended by Germany's Annike Krahn, left, and Lena Goessling.
Elsa/Getty Images
American Morgan Brian, left, and German Simone Laudehr chase down the ball.
American Morgan Brian, left, and German Simone Laudehr chase down the ball.
Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press/AP
U.S. midfielder Tobin Heath gets knocked over by Germany's Tabea Kemme.
U.S. midfielder Tobin Heath gets knocked over by Germany's Tabea Kemme.
FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
U.S. defender Meghan Klingenberg stands over China's Wang Lisi during a Women's World Cup match in Ottawa on Friday, June 26. The United States won 1-0 to advance to the semifinals.
U.S. defender Meghan Klingenberg stands over China's Wang Lisi during a Women's World Cup match in Ottawa on Friday, June 26. The United States won 1-0 to advance to the semifinals.
Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images
China's Lou Jiahui collides with U.S. defender Julie Johnston.
China's Lou Jiahui collides with U.S. defender Julie Johnston.
Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images
Heath fights for the ball with China's Pang Fengyue.
Heath fights for the ball with China's Pang Fengyue.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
U.S. forward Amy Rodriguez kicks the ball during the China match.
U.S. forward Amy Rodriguez kicks the ball during the China match.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
Johnston and China's Wang Shuang vie for the ball during the second half.
Johnston and China's Wang Shuang vie for the ball during the second half.
Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press/AP
U.S. midfielder Megan Rapinoe is fouled by Colombia defender Angela Clavijo during a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/06/sport/gallery/women-worlds-cup-2015/index.html" target="_blank">Women's World Cup</a> match in Edmonton, Alberta, on Monday, June 22. The foul was in the box, leading to a penalty that Lloyd converted into a goal. The United States won the match 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.
U.S. midfielder Megan Rapinoe is fouled by Colombia defender Angela Clavijo during a Women's World Cup match in Edmonton, Alberta, on Monday, June 22. The foul was in the box, leading to a penalty that Lloyd converted into a goal. The United States won the match 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Erich Schlegel/USA TODAY
Nataly Arias of Colombia, center, controls the ball near U.S. forward Abby Wambach.
Nataly Arias of Colombia, center, controls the ball near U.S. forward Abby Wambach.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Lloyd goes for the ball between Colombia's Stefany Castano, left, and Natalia Gaitan.
Lloyd goes for the ball between Colombia's Stefany Castano, left, and Natalia Gaitan.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Rapinoe heads the ball against Colombia.
Rapinoe heads the ball against Colombia.
Jason Franson/The Canadian Press/AP
Clavijo stretches for the ball in front of U.S. midfielder Lauren Holiday.
Clavijo stretches for the ball in front of U.S. midfielder Lauren Holiday.
Jason Franson/The Canadian Press/AP
Wambach, top, scores against Nigeria during a match Tuesday, June 16, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Americans won the match 1-0, clinching top spot in their group.
Wambach, top, scores against Nigeria during a match Tuesday, June 16, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Americans won the match 1-0, clinching top spot in their group.
Mike Hewitt/FIFA/Getty Images
U.S. goalie Hope Solo makes a save against Nigeria.
U.S. goalie Hope Solo makes a save against Nigeria.
Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press/AP
A young U.S. fan watches the team warm up in Vancouver.
A young U.S. fan watches the team warm up in Vancouver.
Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press/AP
Morgan, making her first start of the tournament, keeps her eye on the ball against Nigeria.
Morgan, making her first start of the tournament, keeps her eye on the ball against Nigeria.
Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press/AP
Heath is tackled by Nigeria's Esther Sunday.
Heath is tackled by Nigeria's Esther Sunday.
Mike Hewitt/FIFA/Getty Images