If you are a fan of soccer, you are probably familiar with Abby Wambach. Two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA World Cup winner, and U.S. women’s soccer team captain have been in the news for many reasons. She has a long list of accomplishments and has been a regular contributor in the media. But, where does she stand now? How does she fit into the professional women's football world?
Abby Wambach was an Olympic gold medalist twice.
Abby Wambach, who scored 31 goals and provided 13 assists in 30 games in 2004, was a rising star. After scoring the winning goal in extra time against Brazil, her performance at the 2004 Athens Olympics earned a gold medal. Abby Wambach will play against China Dec. 16 as part of the World Cup victory tour. She stated that she would not make a decision about her Olympic future before the World Cup.
FIFA World Cup Champion
Abby Wambach, FIFA World Cup Champion, scored a stunning goal against Brazil on July 20, which was one of the highlights of the tournament. The match was tied in the 122nd minute. This resulted in penalties which were won by the USA. It was voted as the best moment during the tournament in a FIFA poll. The American was so happy that she shouted joyously. "Score within 10 minutes," Wambach shouted at her teammates. The ball was then headed into the back of Wambach's net.
Captain of the U.S. women’s national soccer team
Mary Abigail Wambach (ex-American soccer player, coach, and member of National Soccer Hall of Fame) is a former American Soccer player. She was a six times winner of U.S. Soccer Athlete. Wambach was a regular for the U.S. women's national team from 2003 to 2015, earning her first cap in 2001.
Founder of Angel City
The new women's soccer team is owned by former Olympian Abby Wambach, who was a Rochester native before becoming a star on the world stage. Wambach is the founder investor and first woman to have a majority stake in the NWSL. Wambach's first connection to the team was made after she attended Time's Up in Los Angeles and saw that there wasn't a woman's team.
Investment in women's soccer
It's a positive development that recent investments have been made in women’s soccer. One quarter of FIFA member clubs do not have an established senior women's team. These include even Pakistan, which had never played competitive soccer prior to the 2015 Women's World Cup. Mauritania, a country that has invested more $100,000 in women’s soccer over the past six years, has just played its first match in Spain.