"A win-win-win:" Young soccer fans spend the day with Abby Wambach, raise money for charity

MILWAUKEE -- Abby Wambach is one of the best soccer players to ever play the game. She helped revolutionize women's soccer. When she's not on the field winning medals, Wambach can be found paying her gifts forward.

Abby Wambach

"I'm not setting out to wanting to change the world. I'm setting out to change the world," Wambach said.

She's changing the world one city at a time.

International soccer superstar Abby Wambach recently visited Milwaukee.

"I was really excited when I got to meet her!" Gwen Crull, 10-year-old soccer player said.

Gwen Crull

"It's really, really special and I'm really the lucky one to have the chance and platform to do it," Wambach said.

The world's all-time leading scorer hosted a soccer clinic at Uihlein Soccer Park and spent the day playing with and teaching area kids.

"It was really fun. I liked it when I stole the ball from her the most," Crull said.

The lucky group of youngsters had the chance to play a game with and against Wambach -- but they had to work for that opportunity.

"I raised $1,128," Crull said.

Abby Wambach

"They're fundraising for a charity -- in this case, TopSoccer to spend some time with me, to get a picture, have some lunch. To compete in the fundraising teaches so many valuable lessons. It's other-mindedness. It's something that sometimes you have to learn and I think it's such a win-win-win situation,"

"It's to help people who can't play soccer or can't afford it or if they have a disability or something," Crull said.

The money raised goes to TopSoccer, and to Soccer Across America.

Abby Wambach

On this day, the kids who stepped up for those causes were rewarded with a fun-filled, Abby Wambach experience. Sure, there was soccer, but there was so much more as the World Cup champion taught the kids some important life lessons.

"Every decision we make affects our next decision, affects our next environment. Surround yourself with good people and good things will happen," Wambach said.

Abby Wambach

Crull said she won't soon forget the day with Abby Wambach, and she left after having learned something from her hero.

"Never give up," Crull said.

As for Wambach, after playing 14 years for the United States Women's National Soccer Team, collecting two Olympic gold medals, a World Cup title and numerous individual awards, she is retiring from soccer at the end of 2015.

Abby Wambach

But don't expect her to fade away. She has another goal to accomplish, and she made sure to tell everyone in attendance at her event in Milwaukee.

"I didn't say I want to change the world. I said I'm going to change the world. It's a very big difference -- one word. One small word puts an accountability in the mix. To often people aren't willing to go for it. People aren't willing to be able to say something and mean it. People are too afraid to fail. People are too afraid not to achieve these goals. Say what you want. Say what you mean," Wambach said.

We'll have to stay tuned to find out exactly what Wambach means.

Wambach's final game is next week -- on Wednesday, December 16th as the World Cup team plays China in New Orleans -- their final game of the victory tour.