American Abby Wambach, who tallied more goals in international competition than any other soccer player in history, male or female, said Tuesday she was retiring at age 35. Wambach, a native of Rochester, New York who has been a key member of the US women's soccer team, announced her decision shortly after the squad was honored at the White House by President Barack Obama for winning the World Cup in July. She scored 184 goals in 252 matches in international play. "After much deliberation and talking with my friends, family, teammates and our coaching staff, I've decided to finally bring my soccer career to an end," Wambach said in a statement. "While we still have more work to do for women's soccer, after bringing the World Cup back to the United States this summer, I'm feeling extremely optimistic about the future of our sport." Wambach, a popular player and a vocal supporter of women's sports, led the US team in scoring in every world championship she played until this summer's Women's World Cup. "Abby is a player who has transcended our sport and her legacy as one of the world's greatest players is set forever," US women's soccer head coach Jill Ellis said. "I am just extremely happy that she could end her career with that elusive World Cup title and go out on top, right where she deserves to be." In this summer's World Cup in Canada, Wambach netted the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Nigeria in the final game of group play. The Americans defeated Japan 5-2 in the championship match, winning their first World Cup title in 16 years. Having played in four women's World Cup tournaments, Wambach played in two Olympics, winning goal medals in 2004 in Athens, and 2012 in London. She missed the 2008 Olympics with a broken leg. "It's been an amazing, wonderful ride and I can't wait to see what the next chapter of my life brings," she said. Beckham plans to add sports school to Miami stadium Retired English soccer star David Beckham is considering a proposal to build a sports high school at a new soccer stadium in Miami as part of his quest to bring a Major League Soccer team to the city. Beckham's investment group is discussing a proposal by Miami's public education authority under which "Beckham High" would be part of the stadium development on a 10.5-acre city-owned site in the Little Havana neighborhood. Beckham's Miami Beckham United team would gain use of the land and an exemption from county property taxes, and it would pay the city $850,000 a year over 60 years for a total of $51 million. The deal would also allow Miami's public school system, the nation's fourth largest, to use the stadium for graduation ceremonies and other events. "I can say the concept of a ‘Beckham High' resonates quite strongly with me," said schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho Tuesday. "The idea of a partnership between Miami Beckham United, the city, county and school system benefiting children across Miami-Dade is exciting, but we have a great deal of details to iron out before an agreement is finalized," said Beckham spokesman Tadd Schwartz. — Agencies
