Abby Wambach announces her retirement from soccer

Abby Wambach is going out on top, just like she said she would.

Before the women’s World Cup this past summer, Wambach said a U.S. championship in the prestigious tournament would make her career complete.

She got her wish, and Tuesday -- just after she and her teammates celebrated with President Obama at the White House -- Wambach announced that she was calling it a career after 15 years, 252 international matches and 184 goals, more than any other player in history, male or female.

“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. It’s been an amazing, wonderful ride and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter of my life brings.”

Wambach will play the final four matches of the national team’s 10-game victory tour, meaning her final match will be Dec. 16 against China in New Orleans.

“What she has done for women’s soccer and women’s sports overall with her amazing talents on the field and her personality off it has been inspiring to watch,” U.S. 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.”