Meet the U.S. Women's World Cup team: Forward Abby Wambach

Meet Abby Wambach; Star forward for the U.S. Women's World Cup team.

SI Staff | May 26, 2015

Meet the U.S. Women's World Cup team: Forward Abby Wambach /

Abby Wambach

Forward | No. 20

Height: 5'11"
Age: 35
Hometown: Rochester, New York
Club: Unattached
Twitter:@AbbyWambach
Goals 182
Caps: 242

A former FIFA World Player of the Year, Wambach has played 18 World Cup matches and scored 13 goals, leading the team in both categories. American forwards on the squad have scored 317 international goals among them, and Wambach scored over half of the total. She has won the U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year award six times and holds the world record for international goals with 182.

One of TIME's 100 most influential people of 2015 for her U.S. leadership and outspokenness regarding artificial turf at the Women's World Cup, Wambach made headlines by announcing she would not play in the NWSL in 2015 to focus on being fit for this summer's tournament. That prompted mass discussion about the decision and a surprise trade that sent her rights to the Seattle Reign. It’s unclear what role Wambach will play in Canada, as coach Jill Ellis has proven willing to bring her on as a late substitute to cause problems for tired defenses with her size and speed.

U.S. Women's World Cup Team: Abby Wambach

Published May 26, 2015

SI STAFF