Abby Wambach: Retired US star apologises after drink-driving arrest

'I have let myself and others down. I take full responsibility for my actions'

(Getty)

Retired US women's football star Abby Wambach has apologised after she was arrested for driving under the influence in Portland, Orgeon.

The 35-year-old, who scored 184 goals in 255 matches for the US national team winning two Olympic gold medals and last summer's World Cup, was arrested early on Sunday morning and charged with misdemeanor DUII (driving under the influence of intoxicants).

According to a police report, Wamback was stopped at 11.05pm on Sunday night for failing to stop at a red light.


 Abby Wambach celebrates the World Cup win last summer 
 (Getty Images)

A sergeant observed signs that she was under the influence of alcohol. Wambach failed field sobriety tests and was arrested. She later failed a breath test at the Central Precinct in downtown Portland. She was polite and cooperative throughout the investigation, police said.

"Those that know me, know that I have always demanded excellence from myself," Wambach wrote on her Facebook page."I have let myself and others down. I take full responsibility for my actions.

"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 retired after the World Cup. She is the all-time top scoring American player and won the Fifa Women's World Player of the Year award in 2012.