Abby Wambach’s memoir is more than a recitation of her soccer successes, as numerous as they are (two-time Olympic gold medalist; 2012 FIFA World Player of the Year; and the most prolific goal-scorer ever – male or female – in international matches with 184). Wambach is as forthright in telling about her own behind-the-scenes life and her feelings of inadequacy and struggles with drugs and alcohol as she was assertive on the field.
Here’s an excerpt from Forward:
“For three weeks after the World Cup I can think of nothing but that first goal that spurred the Germans to a win, the goal I allowed. My mind replays the moment on a continuous loop, an excruciating image I’m powerless to block. Even the elements that were objectively out of my control become details in my narrative of failure: I should have known how my mark would pivot and spin. I should have beaten her to the ball. I should have hurled my body at her to throw her off balance. Somehow, magically, I should have rendered all the German players motionless through sheer force of will. I gnaw at myself with a quiet savagery. My fault, my fault, my fault.”
