Abby Wambach
Abby Wambach
Mary Abigail "Abby" Wambachis an American retired soccer player, coach, two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women's World Cup champion. A six-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award, Wambach has been a regular on the U.S. women's national soccer team since 2003 earning her first cap in 2001. As a forward, she currently stands as the highest all-time goal scorer for the national team and holds the world record for international goals for both female and...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionSoccer Player
Date of Birth2 June 1980
CityRochester, NY
CountryUnited States of America
When I was really young, the women's national team wasn't on a grand media stage, so my role models were male basketball and male American football players.
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 never did. I always felt comfortable with who I am and the decisions I made.
As soon as I started to realize that I could make a living playing professional soccer, I went to that place where I could torture myself because I knew it would make me better for the championship game.
Your heart can only take you so far - sometimes the physical body tells you otherwise.
When you can score three goals without the most prolific scorer in the world, you know you have a lot of depth, and it gives you confidence.
The most important thing is to get better at your craft, and concussions and head impacts are a setback.
Sometimes if you have a coach or team-mates for too long, you get caught in certain routines. I think it's good to shake up things a little bit.
People don't think an athlete nowadays can have a team-first mentality and I do.
I'm not sure if I'm going to get into coaching. I'm sure I'll stay in soccer somehow.
I'm a pretty decent cook. I like to grill. I have a smoker that I love. I love me some steak. And I'll make a huge salad with a ton of vegetables.
I would trade all the individual awards I've won for a World Cup.
I would love to be a mum if I'm blessed to have children. My wife and I have those plans.
I want to reduce my risks as much as possible and hopefully be able to go to the World Cup fit, ready and healthy.
I want to do what I can to give the next generation of athletes added advantages in the game.