Abby Wambach

Abby Wambach, born on June 2, 1980, is a celebrated American former soccer player, coach, and podcaster, renowned for her remarkable contributions to women's soccer. A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Wambach's illustrious career includes being a six-time recipient of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award. She made her debut for the U.S. women's national soccer team in 2001 and became a key player from 2003 to 2015, ultimately becoming the highest all-time goal scorer for the national team with one hundred eighty-four goals.

Wambach's accolades include being named the 2012 FIFA World Player of the Year, marking her as the first American woman to win this prestigious award in a decade. She was also recognized on the 2015 Time 100 list as one of the most influential people globally. Her international career is highlighted by her participation in four FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments and two Olympic Games, where she secured gold medals in both 2004 and 2012.

Known for her exceptional diving header technique, Wambach's most iconic moment came during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal against Brazil, where she scored a last-minute equalizer that led the U.S. team to victory in a penalty shootout. This goal not only set a record for the latest goal scored in a match but also earned her the Bronze Boot and Silver Ball for the tournament. In 2011, she made history as the first soccer player, regardless of gender, to be named Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press.

After announcing her retirement on October 27, 2015, Wambach played her final match on December 16 of the same year. Her autobiography, Forward, released in September 2016, became a New York Times bestseller, followed by her second book, Wolfpack, which also achieved bestseller status in 2019. Wambach continues to inspire through her work as a coach and podcaster, advocating for change and empowerment in sports and beyond.