VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Abby Wambach lifted American coach Jill Ellis after the final whistle. She ran to the stands for a hug from her wife. And then along with Christine Rampone, she became the first American to lift the Women's World Cup championship trophy in 16 years.

Not a bad farewell to the World Cup.

Wambach played what's expected to be her final World Cup match on Sunday night when the United States beat Japan 5-2 to claim its first title since 1999. Wambach came on as a sub in the 79th minute after the partisan sold out crowd at BC Place had started to chant her name.

She's the all-time goal-scoring leader, male or female. She's a past FIFA Women's World Player of the Year. But Wambach said after the victory that she would gladly trade all those honors for the experience of winning her first World Cup title.