Retired Soccer Star Abby Wambach Arrested on DUI Charge

She was released from jail on her own recognizance.

ByABC News
April 3, 2016, 2:47 PM

— -- Retired soccer great Abby Wambach was arrested for a DUI after she was pulled over in downtown Portland Saturday night, police say.

She was pulled over around 11 p.m. for allegedly failing to stop for a red light, the Portland police said, and an officer "observed signs that she was under the influence of alcohol."

Wambach failed field sobriety tests and was arrested, police said. She was taken to the Central Precinct where she failed a breath test, police said.

Wambach was booked into the Multnomah County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) - Alcohol. She was released on her own recognizance.

"Wambach was polite and cooperative throughout the investigation," Portland police said.

Wambach said in a statement today: "Last night I was arrested for DUII in Portland after dinner at a friend's house. Those that know me, know that I have always demanded excellence from myself. I have let myself and others down.

"I take full responsibility for my actions," Wambach said. "This is all on me. I promise that I will do whatever it takes to ensure that my horrible mistake is never repeated. I am so sorry to my family, friends, fans and those that look to follow a better example."

Wambach is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women's World Cup champion with the U.S. women's national team. She won the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award six times. She announced her retirement from soccer in December 2015, shortly after the U.S. women's national team celebrated its World Cup victory at the White House.

PHOTO: Abby Wambach of the USA celebrates their victory over Japan at the end of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 final match between USA and Japan, at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada, July 5, 2015.
Abby Wambach of the USA celebrates their victory over Japan at the end of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 final match between USA and Japan, at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada, July 5, 2015.