Abby Wambach

Abby Wambach: A Soccer Legend

Abby Wambach is a retired American soccer player and one of the most successful and decorated female athletes in history. Born on June 2, 1980, in Rochester, New York, Abby grew up in a family of athletes. Her father, Pete Wambach, was a professional football player, and her mother, Judy Wambach, played basketball and softball. Abby has two sisters, Laura and Beth, who also played soccer at a high level.

Abby attended Our Lady of Mercy High School in Rochester, where she played soccer and basketball. She led her high school soccer team to a state championship in 1997 and was named the state's Player of the Year. After graduating from high school, Abby enrolled at the University of Florida, where she played for the Gators from 1998 to 2001. During her college career, she was a three-time All-American and led the Gators to the NCAA Tournament in each of her four seasons.

In 2002, Abby was drafted by the Washington Freedom of the newly formed Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). She played for the Freedom until the league folded in 2003. Abby then played for several teams in the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league, including the magicJack, Western New York Flash, and the Seattle Reign. She also played for the U.S. Women's National Team from 2001 to 2015.

Abby's outstanding achievements in soccer are numerous. She is the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. women's soccer team, with 184 goals in 256 appearances. She helped the team win gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics by scoring five goals in six games and also helped lead the team to a World Cup title in 2015. Abby was named the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2012, and she won the ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete in 2011 and 2015.

Abby's personality and motivation are what set her apart from other athletes. She is known for her fierce competitiveness, her never-give-up attitude, and her leadership on and off the field. Abby has always been committed to using her platform as a professional athlete to promote social justice and equality. She is an advocate for LGBTQ rights, women's rights, and equal pay for female athletes.

Before becoming famous, Abby faced many challenges and obstacles. She struggled with alcohol and drug addiction early in her career and had to work hard to overcome those issues. She also had to deal with injuries and setbacks, including a broken leg in 2008 that almost ended her career.

Abby's family life is also an important part of her story. She married her long-time partner, Sarah Huffman, in 2013, but they divorced in 2016. In 2017, Abby married Glennon Doyle, a best-selling author and activist. Abby and Glennon have three children together and are committed to raising them in a loving and inclusive environment.

Abby is linked to many other people in the soccer industry, including her former teammates and coaches, her rivals on the field, and her fans around the world. She is respected and admired by soccer fans everywhere for her talent, her dedication, and her commitment to making the world a better place. Abby Wambach will always be remembered as one of the greatest soccer players of all time and a true champion for social justice and equality.