Abby Wambach Retires From the United States Women's National Soccer Team After Loss to China

On Wednesday, Abby Wambach played her final game as a member of the United States women's national soccer team. The country's all-time leading goal scorer, male or female, started and played 70 some minutes in an exhibition game against China. And while the game wouldn't have the storybook ending most were hoping for -- the U.S. wound up losing 0-1, ending their 104-match unbeaten streak on American soil -- it was actually quite symbolic for Wambach.

"I love my teammates for wanting to give me the sendoff that we all envisioned, but I think it's kind of symbolic," Wambach said, via ESPN. "You get 70-minutes, and we don't score a goal. For me, it's like, OK, it's time to step away. The symbolism in it for me is amazing."

The fact that Wambach felt 70 minutes on the field without scoring a goal meant that she was a washed up weekend hacker just goes to show you how good she's been throughout her illustrious career. In her 255 appearances for the red, white, and blue she scored 184 goals, that according to The New York Times. Not only is that a record for the United States, but it's the world record in international play, for both men or women. She won one World Cup, played in four, and added two Olympic gold medals to that impressive resume of hers. Oh yeah, one more thing: in 2012 she was named the FIFA world player of the year.

However, like all athletes, there comes a time when the body simply cannot do what it used to do. Something Wambach knows very well, and something she has come to grips with.

"It's harder than it ever used to be; the standard is even higher," Wambach said, via ESPN. "And that's the way it should be. Your body just knows when it knows. Your mind is at the right speed, but your body just isn't capable of doing what it was capable of doing even three years ago. That's the little difference."

She also acknowledged the progress that has been made by the women of this sport in the United States. How the style of play has changed from long balls into her head, to intricate passing on the ground; how the players are better and the game is faster. The sport, in Wambach's eyes, is in a good spot.

"There are players that are better than I am that will take this game into the next decade," Wambach said, via The New York Times.

And while that may be the case, Wambach's presence not only on the field, but in the locker room as well, is something that is simply, as coach Jill Ellis described it, "irreplaceable."