The Americans were semi-final losers to Jamaica in the Gold Cup and lost to Mexico when playing for a berth in the Confederations Cup.
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The U.S. women’s first game at the Superdome, home turf of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, was a memorable one, with a supportive 32,950 fans in attendance. An era was ending and Wambach, a defining face of the U.S. women’s national team for so long, was checking in for her final match.
“I think it was pretty fitting in that I played 70 minutes and we weren’t able to score a goal”, Wambach told broadcaster Fox Sports.
Wambach is capping off her career as part of USAs World Cup victory tour.
Abby Wambach reacts during a presentation to her before the team’s friendly against China. She scored in the Americans’ 1-0 victory over Norway in the quarterfinals, but the United States would ultimately fall to Germany in the semifinals and claim third place. “Before I get emotional”, said Abby, “I just want to genuinely express how much I’ve given myself to this team and how important…”
US President Barack Obama had already tweeted his congratulations to Wambach before the match – won by a 58th-minute goal from China’s Wang Shuang. Her final goal came in her 251st cap on August 19, 2015 against Costa Rica.
Horan’s header forced a diving save by Lina in the 82nd minute. The Americans would defeat Brazil on penalty kicks, but fall on PKs to Japan in the title match.
Wambach, who has won two Olympic gold medals and was named Federation Internationale de Football Association 2012 Women’s Player of the Year, argued for women to be paid as well as men for their efforts on the pitch. Just like she did after Mia Hamm retired from the sport.
After another string of chances in the second half, even Wambach knew it was time. And, again, the record-breaker was a header off a corner from Rapinoe. While the spotlight was on other players until just recently, Press amassed 29 goals and averages a little over a goal every other game. She fights for the ball, she’s courageous and she never gives up. A fan favorite, Rapinoe’s calm and easy going demeanor along with her natural talent is a great combination for the team.
Though not the best result, the night was all about Wambach’s historic career, which sees her finish as the US women’s national team’s top scorer ever and one of the most prolific forwards the game has ever seen.
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She got her wish. “We’ve been up and down and in and out and really can’t believe that here we are at the end of her career”, said Judy Wambach, Abby’s mother. “It’s the wholehearted truth”. It was eventually dropped so the players could prepare for the World Cup, but the point had been made.
