It’s no secret that Abby Wambach has admirers in high places.
President Barack Obama used Twitter to congratulate Wambach after she etched her name into soccer’s record books.
Wambach scored four first-half goals Thursday, powering the U.S. to a 5-0 win over South Korea. Her third goal was the 159th of her international career — a tally which makes her the all-time leading goal scorer in international soccer history. She passed legendary American striker Mia Hamm, who held the record for over 14 years.
The historic moment came in the 29th minute when Wambach headed home a Megan Rapinoe corner kick. After scoring, Wambach blew a kiss to her parents, Peter and Judy Wambach, who were in attendance.
The 33-year-old was given a standing ovation when she was substituted in the 58th minute. She spoke to the crowd after the game, but her address was brief, as teammates Sydney Leroux and Meghan Klingenberg doused her with ice water.
Wambach’s record stands at 160 goals in 207 games. Hamm scored 158 in 275 international games. Iranian great Ali Daei holds the record in the men’s game with 109 goals.
While Obama and Hamm were not among the 18,961 who flocked to Red Bull Arena, they sent well-wishes nonetheless.
Hamm watched the game live and sent her messages in real time.
[tweet https://twitter.com/MiaHamm/status/347870871483981824 align=’center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/MiaHamm/status/347874433001725952 align=’center’]
The U.S. president congratulated Wambach on Friday.
[tweet https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/348125239781240833 align=’center’]
Wambach should score many more goals before she retires. She will most likely feature for the U.S. as it aims to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and defend its Olympic gold medal in 2016.
See Wambach’s record-breaking 159th international goal in the video below.
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