Abby: I’ll do what it takes for Cup glory
VANCOUVER: Abby Wambach insists she doesn’t care if she’s on the bench or on the pitch come today, all she wants when the final whistle blows is that the United States have one goal more than Japan in the Women’s World Cup final.
The 35-year-old forward, the US’ all-time top scorer in men’s or women’s football, has been the star of the American female game for nearly 15 years.
She won her first cap in September 2001 and since then has scored 183 goals in 248 appearances for the “Stars and Stripes”.
But one date remains engraved in her memory – July 17, 2011.
“Why is that day special?” she asks. “It was the World Cup final and we lost it. Don’t forget it. “It’s constantly in our minds.” She has won two Olympic gold medals and was named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year in 2012.
In May this year, Time Magazine listed her among the 100 most influential people in the world.
But none of this can erase the painful defeat on penalties to Japan in Frankfurt four years ago.
Wambach had put her side ahead early in extra-time with the scores locked 1-1 after 90 minutes, only for Japan captain Homare Sawa to score with a header in the 117th minute.
In the final penalty shootout Wambach was the only US player to score from the spot as Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath and Carli Lloyd missed.
All are back with the US team, and all are determined to win in Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium today.
“There’s no more heartbreak because we’ve done everything we can now,” said Wambach.
“I’m ready to help my team in this game in any capacity.
“If it means coming off the bench, staying on the bench, all I want when the final whistle blows is that we have one more goal than them. “Defeat is not an option.” Her team-mates are not short of motivation but winning for Wambach is one of them.
“Knowing this is most likely her last go obviously it’s very important to her,” said Alex Morgan.
“She basically has the best resume that any player could ask for apart from she hasn’t got a world title.”
“She’s a tremendous leader and she’s awesome to be around,” said Lloyd.
“She doesn’t give herself a lot of credit, but she reads the game very well.”
US coach Jill Ellis chipped in: “She embodies a lot of the spirit of this team and our programme.
“Her leadership is tremendous. Her spirit is fantastic.” — AFP