Abby Wambach's words, play send strong message to the world

U.S. downs France in World Cup semifinal

Americans return to final after 12-year wait

The Associated Press

United States forward Abby Wambach celebrates after scoring the winning goal against France on Wednesday. (Martin Meissner/Associated Press)

The United States is in the Women's World Cup final for the first time since it last won the title in 1999, and once again, it was Abby Wambach coming up big in a 3-1 victory over France on Wednesday in Germany.
Wambach broke a 1-1 deadlock with a strong header from Lauren Cheney's corner kick in the 79th minute. Cheney delivered the ball perfectly to the far post, and Wambach jumped over the scrum and pushed the ball past French goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz. She let out a scream and did a sliding sprint into the corner, where she was mobbed by her teammates.
"We've achieved part of our goal. We're in the final," Wambach said. "We want to complete it. We want to be world champs."
It was Wambach's third goal of the tournament and 12th of her career, tying her with fellow American Michelle Akers for third on the all-time World Cup scoring list.
Alex Morgan added an insurance goal in the 82nd, the first for the World Cup rookie. When the final whistle sounded, the Americans rushed onto the field. Wambach found U.S. coach Pia Sundhage and gave her a bearhug as the pro-American crowd of 25,676 in Moenchengladbach serenaded the team with chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A."
"Abby, she's just the best," Sundhage said. "I'm very happy to have her in our team. Great."
Despite the loss, the World Cup was a resounding success for the French, who made their first appearance in the semifinals and qualified for next summer's London Olympics.
Though the Americans are two-time World Cup champions, they haven't made the final since Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain won it all in 1999. The Americans will now play either Japan or Sweden in Sunday's final in Frankfurt.More...